Display device and driving method thereof

ABSTRACT

In order to achieve lower power consumption, a technique of performing display (partial display) by utilizing only a part of a display area is used. For example, a display area is divided, a plurality of driver circuits for driving the divided display areas independently are provided, and only a region where a fixed pattern is displayed is driven in a power saving mode, thereby partial display is performed; however, display cannot be performed at an arbitrary position. Alternatively, partial display can be performed by inputting a video signal to a pixel in an arbitrary display area; however, a structure of a driver circuit is complicated. The object of the invention is to provide a display device which can perform partial display at an arbitrary position and reduce power consumption. In partial display, operation of a signal line driver circuit is set so as to be stopped and a non-display signal is set so as to be outputted from the signal line driver circuit when a pixel in a non-display area is selected.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an active matrix display device inwhich a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix, and particularlyrelates to a display device which performs partial display by utilizinga part of a plurality of pixels and a driving method thereof. Inaddition, the invention relates to an electronic appliance having thedisplay device in a display portion.

BACKGROUND ART

A liquid crystal display (LCD) which is a display device formed of adisplay element such as a liquid crystal is widely used. On the otherhand, in recent years, a so-called self-light emitting display device,that is, a light-emitting device has been attracting attention, whichhas a pixel formed of a display element such as a light-emitting diode(LED). As a display element used for such a self-light emitting displaydevice, an organic light-emitting diode (also referred to as OLED(Organic Light-Emitting Diode), an organic Light emitting element,electroluminescence (EL) element, or the like) has been attractingattention, and used for an EL display and the like. A display elementsuch as an OLED is self-light emitting; therefore, it has advantagessuch as higher visibility of pixels, no backlight, and higher responsespeed compared to a liquid crystal display.

These days, an EL display has been particularly used in a displayportion of a portable electrical appliance such as a mobile phone. Insuch a portable electrical appliance, still lower power consumption isrequired.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-297106

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to achieve lower power consumption, a technique of performingdisplay (partial display) by utilizing only a part of a display area isused. For example, a display area is divided, a plurality of drivercircuits for driving the divided display areas independently areprovided, and only a region where a fixed pattern is displayed is drivenin a power saving mode, thereby partial display is performed.

With such a structure, however, display cannot be performed at anarbitrary position. Further, since specifications are differentdepending on a model of a display device, respective driver circuits arerequired to be developed.

Alternatively, partial display can be performed by inputting a videosignal to a pixel in an arbitrary display area. In the case of partialdisplay, the number of times the signal is rewritten to a pixel in anon-display area is reduced, thereby lower power consumption can beachieved. (see Patent Document 1)

With such a structure, however, a structure of a driver circuit iscomplicated. Besides, power consumption is not sufficiently lowered.

The object of the invention is to provide a display device which canperform partial display at an arbitrary position and reduce powerconsumption.

In performing partial display, the display device of the invention stopsinputting a clock signal to a signal line driver circuit and stopsoperation of a shift register circuit included in the signal line drivercircuit when a pixel in a non-display area is selected, thereby anon-display signal is inputted to the pixel.

Hereinafter, a specific structure of the invention is described.

The display device of the invention includes a signal line drivercircuit for outputting a signal to be written to a pixel and a scan linedriver circuit for selecting a pixel to which a signal is written. Thesignal line driver circuit includes a switching circuit for outputting apredetermined signal from the signal line driver circuit while the scanline driver circuit selects a pixel and the signal line driver circuitstops operating.

Further, the display device of the invention includes a signal linedriver circuit for outputting a signal to a signal line to be written toa pixel and a scan line driver circuit for selecting a pixel to whichthe signal is written. The signal line driver circuit includes a shiftregister circuit, a latch circuit, and a switching circuit. Theswitching circuit has a switch which electrically connects between thesignal line and an output terminal of the latch circuit, or a wire towhich a predetermined potential is applied.

Further, the display device of the invention includes a pixel portionprovided with a plurality of pixels, a signal line driver circuit foroutputting a signal to be written to a pixel, a scan line driver circuitfor selecting a pixel to which a signal is written, and a control unitfor stopping operation of the signal line driver circuit. The pixelincludes a unit for holding an analog voltage and a unit for storing adigital signal. A predetermined signal is outputted from the signal linedriver circuit while a pixel is selected by the scan line driver circuitand the signal line driver circuit stops operating.

Further, in the display device of the invention having theaforementioned structure, the unit for storing the digital signal storesthe predetermined signal.

Further, in the display device of the invention having theaforementioned structure, the pixel includes a liquid crystal displayelement.

The invention provides a driving method of a display device whichincludes a shift register circuit, a latch circuit, and a switchingcircuit in a signal line driver circuit, and can perform partialdisplay. In performing partial display, while a pixel in a display areais selected, a signal outputted from the latch circuit is supplied to asignal line by the switching circuit, whereas while a pixel in anon-display area is selected, a non-display signal is supplied to thesignal line by the switching circuit. While a pixel in the display areais selected, a clock signal is inputted to the shift register circuit,whereas when a pixel in the non-display area starts to be selected, aclock signal stops being inputted to the shift register circuit. Whenshifting from selection of a pixel in the non-display area to a pixel inthe display area, a clock signal starts to be inputted to the shiftregister circuit no less than one horizontal period prior to the startof selection of the pixel in the display area.

Further, the invention provides a driving method of a display devicewhich includes a shift register circuit and a switching circuit in asignal line driver circuit, and can perform partial display. Inperforming partial display, while a pixel in a display area is selected,a signal outputted from a video line is supplied to a signal linethrough the switching circuit, whereas while a pixel in a non-displayarea is selected, a non-display signal is supplied to the signal linethrough the switching circuit. While a pixel in the display area isselected, a clock signal is inputted to the shift register circuit,whereas while a pixel in the non-display area is selected, a clocksignal stops being inputted to the shift register circuit.

A switch used in this specification may be anything such as anelectrical switch or a mechanical switch as far as it can control acurrent flow. It may be a transistor, a diode, or a logic circuitconfigured with them. Therefore, in the case of using a transistor as aswitch, polarity (conductivity) thereof is not particularly limitedbecause it operates just as a switch. However, when an off current ispreferred to be small, a transistor of polarity with a small off currentis preferably used. For example, a transistor which has an LDD region ora multi-gate structure has a small off current. Further, it is desirablethat an n-channel transistor be employed when a potential of a sourceterminal of the transistor operating as a switch is closer to a lowpotential side power source (Vss, GND, 0 V or the like), whereas ap-channel transistor be employed when a potential of the source terminalis closer to the high potential side power source (Vdd or the like).This helps the switch operate efficiently since the absolute value ofthe gate-source voltage of the transistor can be increased. It is to benoted that a CMOS switch can also be applied by using both n-channel andp-channel transistors.

In the invention, “being connected” means “being electricallyconnected”. Therefore, another element, switch, or the like may beprovided in the predetermined connection.

Note that various modes can be applied to a display element. Forexample, a display medium in which contrast is changed by anelectromagnetic effect can be used, such as a light emitting element(organic light emitting element, inorganic light emitting element, lightemitting element containing organic material and inorganic material), anelectron discharging element, a liquid crystal element, an electron ink,a light diffraction element, a discharging element, a digitalmicromirror device (DMD), a piezoelectric element, or a carbon nanotube.It is to be noted that an EL panel type display device using a lightemitting element includes an EL display; a display device using anelectron discharging element includes a field emission display (FED), anSED type flat panel display (Surface-conduction Electron-emitterDisplay), and the like; a liquid crystal panel type display device usinga liquid crystal element includes a liquid crystal display; a digitalpaper type display device using an electron ink includes electronicpaper; a display device using a light diffraction element includes agrating light valve (GLV) type display; a PDP (Plasma Display Panel)type display using a discharging element includes a plasma display; aDMD panel type display device using a digital micromirror deviceincludes a digital light processing (DLP) type display device; a displaydevice using a piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric ceramicdisplay; a display device using a carbon nanotube includes a nanoemissive display (NED) and the like.

It is to be noted that kinds of transistors applicable to the inventionare not limited. Accordingly, the following transistors are applicableto the invention: a thin film transistor (TFT) using a non-singlecrystalline semiconductor film typified by amorphous silicon andpolycrystalline silicon; a MOS transistor which is formed using asemiconductor substrate or an SOI substrate; a junction transistor; abipolar transistor; a transistor using an organic semiconductor or acarbon nanotube; and other transistors. Kinds of substrates over which atransistor is provided are not limited; therefore, a transistor can beprovided over a single crystalline substrate, an SOI substrate, a glasssubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like.

It is to be noted that any type of transistor can be used and formedover any substrate as a transistor of the invention. Therefore, all ofthe circuits may be formed over a glass substrate, a plastic substrate,a single crystalline substrate, an SOI substrate, or any substrate.Alternatively, a part of a circuit may be formed over a certainsubstrate and another part of the circuit may be formed over anothersubstrate. That is, not all of the circuit is required to be formed overthe same substrate. For example, a part of a circuit may be formed overa glass substrate using a TFT and another part of the circuit may beformed over a single crystalline substrate into an IC chip which may beprovided over the glass substrate by COG (Chip On Glass). Alternatively,the IC chip may be connected to a glass substrate using TAB (Tape AutoBonding) or a printed substrate.

It is to be noted in the invention that one pixel corresponds to oneelement which can control brightness. Therefore, for example, one pixelexpresses one color element by which brightness is expressed.Accordingly, in the case of a color display device formed of colorelements of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), the smallest unit of animage is formed of three pixels of an R pixel, a G pixel, and a B pixel.It is to be noted that a color element is not limited to be formed ofthree colors, and may be formed of more than three colors or a colorother than RGB. For example, RGB to which white is added (RGBW) or RGBto which one or more colors selected from yellow, cyan, magenta, emeraldgreen, vermilion, and the like are added can be employed. Alternatively,a similar color to at least one of RGB may be added to RGB, for example,R, G, B1, B2 may be employed. Although B1 and B2 are both blue, theyhave slightly different frequencies. By using such a color element, animage closer to a real thing can be displayed and power consumption canbe reduced. Further, as another example, in the case of controlling thebrightness of one color element by using a plurality of regions, one ofthe plurality of regions corresponds to one pixel. Therefore, forexample, in the case of performing an area gray scale display, aplurality of regions for controlling the brightness are provided for onecolor element, which express a gray scale as a whole. One of the regionsfor controlling the brightness corresponds to one pixel. Therefore, inthis case, one color element is formed of a plurality of pixels.Moreover, in this case, regions which contribute to display may differin size depending on the pixel. In the plurality of regions forcontrolling the brightness provided for one color element, that is, aplurality of pixels which constitute one color element, the viewingangle may be expanded by supplying each pixel with a slightly differentsignal.

It is to be noted in this specification that the case where pixels arearranged in matrix corresponds to a case where pixels are arranged in agrid pattern where longitudinal stripes and lateral stripes cross eachother or to a case where three color elements that are minimum elementsof one image are arranged in what is called a delta pattern when a fullcolor display is performed using the three color elements (for example,RGB). Further, the size of a pixel may be different depending on thecolor element.

It is to be noted that a transistor is an element having at least threeterminals including a gate electrode, a drain region, and a sourceregion. A channel forming region is provided between a drain region anda source region. Here, it is difficult to determine the source region orthe drain region since they depend on the structure, operatingcondition, and the like of the transistor. Therefore, in this embodimentmode, each of the region functioning as a source and the regionfunctioning as a drain may be referred to as a first terminal or asecond terminal.

It is to be noted in this specification that a semiconductor devicecorresponds to a device including a circuit having a semiconductorelement (transistor, diode, or the like). Further, a display device mayinclude not only a main body of a display panel in which a plurality ofpixels including display elements and a peripheral driver circuit fordriving the pixels are formed over a substrate but also the one providedwith a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a printed wiring board (PWB). Alight emitting device corresponds to a display device using a self-lightemitting display element in particular.

In the invention, in performing partial display, when a pixel in anon-display area is selected by a scan line driver circuit, operation ofa signal line driver circuit is stopped, thereby power consumption canbe lowered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display device of the invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams each showing a display device of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of a display device of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a signal line driver circuit which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a driving method which can be applied to adisplay device of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a display panel structureof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display device of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display device of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing pixels which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing pixels which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing operations of a pixel which canbe applied to a display device of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation of a pixel which can beapplied to a display device of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing pixels which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a pixel which can be applied to a displaydevice of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an operation of a pixel which can beapplied to a display device of the invention.

FIGS. 21A to 21D are diagrams showing operations of a pixel which can beapplied to a display device of the invention.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams showing a display panel of the invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams showing light emitting elements which canbe applied to a display device of the invention.

FIGS. 24A to 24C are diagrams showing a display panel of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display panel of the invention.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are diagrams showing display panels of the invention.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams showing display panels of the invention.

FIGS. 30A and 30 B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 32A and 32B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 33A and 33B are diagrams showing structures of a transistor and acapacitor which can be applied to a pixel of the invention.

FIGS. 34A to 34H are views showing electrical appliances to which adisplay device of the invention can be applied.

FIG. 35 is a view showing an example of an EL module.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a main structure of an EL TVreceiver.

FIG. 37 is a view showing a structure example of a mobile phone.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a display device of the invention.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a display device of the invention.

FIG. 40 shows a signal line driver circuit which can be applied to adisplay device of the invention.

FIG. 41 is a timing chart of a display device of the invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a driving method which can be applied to adisplay device of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Although the invention will be fully described by way of embodimentmodes with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that various changes and modifications will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes andmodifications depart from the scope of the invention, they should beconstrued as being included therein.

A display device of the invention includes a pixel portion, a scan linedriver circuit and a signal line driver circuit which drive the pixelportion. A plurality of scan lines are extended from the scan linedriver circuit to the pixel portion. A plurality of signal lines areextended from the signal line driver circuit to the pixel portion. Inaddition, a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix corresponding tothe scan lines and the signal lines.

The scan line driver circuit supplies to a scan line a signal forselecting a pixel to which a signal is written. The signal line drivercircuit supplies to a signal line a signal to be written to a pixel.That is, the signal outputted from the signal line driver circuit iswritten to a pixel selected by the scan line driver circuit.

The pixel has a display element, a unit for storing a written signal,and a unit for controlling drive of the display element. The pixel towhich the signal is written stores the signal and keeps a state(lighting state or non-lighting state) in accordance with the signal.

Therefore, in the case of displaying an image, normally, all the pixelsare selected and respective signals are written to the pixels, whichenables display of a moving image or a still image.

Here, a display device of the invention can perform partial display. Inthe case of partial display, a part of the pixel portion (for example,pixels from an i-th row to a j-th row in the pixel portion) is a displayarea and the other part of the pixel portion is a non-display area.While the scan line driver circuit selects a non-display area, anoperation of the signal line driver circuit is stopped. It is to benoted that the operation of the signal line driver circuit may bestopped all the while the scan line driver circuit selects thenon-display area. Alternatively, the operation of the signal line drivercircuit may be stopped in a part of the period when the scan line drivercircuit selects the non-display area as well.

It is to be noted that the case where the operation of the signal linedriver circuit is stopped corresponds to, for example, a case where aclock signal (CLK), an inverted clock signal (CLKB), and the like stopto be inputted to the signal line driver circuit, thereby operation of ashift register circuit in the signal line driver circuit is stopped.That is, operation of a shift register circuit is stopped, which outputsa sampling pulse for taking timing to convert video signals seriallyinputted to the signal line driver circuit into parallel video signalscorresponding to pixels of each column.

While the operation of the signal line driver circuit is stopped, anon-display signal is supplied from the signal line driver circuit to asignal line, thereby the non-display signal can be inputted to a pixelselected by a scan line.

It is to be noted that the non-display signal is not limited to a signalwhich makes a pixel emit no light. That is to say, a pixel to which thenon-display signal is inputted in the pixel portion may form abackground image independent of display. The background image may bedisplayed in white or black as far as lower power consumption of thedisplay device can be achieved.

In this manner, in partial display, operation of the shift registercircuit which operates at high speed in the signal line driver circuitis stopped. As a result, power consumption can be lowered.

Embodiment Mode 1

In this embodiment mode, description is made with reference to FIG. 1 ofa basic structure of a display device having a normal display mode and apower saving mode, which includes a unit for stopping operation of ashift register circuit in a signal line driver circuit when the powersaving mode is selected.

The display device includes a signal line driver circuit 101, a scanline driver circuit 102, and a pixel portion 103. In addition, aplurality of signal lines S1 to Sn are extended from the signal linedriver circuit 101 to the pixel portion 103, and a plurality of scanlines G1 to Gm are extended from the scan line driver circuit 102 to thepixel portion 103. Further, a plurality of pixels 104 are arranged inmatrix corresponding to the scan lines G1 to Gm and the signal lines S1to Sn in the pixel portion 103. That is, a pixel of p-th row and q-thcolumn is connected to a scan line Gp (one of the scan lines G1 to Gm)and a signal line Sq (one of the signal lines S1 to Sn).

Signals such as a clock signal (G_CLK), an inverted clock signal(G_CLKB), and a start pulse signal (G_SP) are inputted to the scan linedriver circuit 102.

The clock signal (G_CLK) is a signal alternating between H (High) and L(Low) at regular intervals, and the inverted clock signal (G_CLKB) is asignal having an inverted polarity of the clock signal (G_CLK). Notethat a clock signal and an inverted clock signal may be collectivelyreferred to as a clock signal. In accordance with these signals, thescan line driver circuit 102 is synchronized and the timing to execute aprocess is controlled. Therefore, when the start pulse signal (GASP) isinputted to the scan line driver circuit 102, a scan signal selectingeach pixel row is generated in accordance with the clock signal (G_CLK)and the inverted clock signal (G_CLKB). In other words, the scan signalis a signal sequentially selecting pixels per row through the scan linesconnected to the scan line driver circuit 102.

Signals such as a clock signal (S_CLK), an inverted clock signal(S_CLKB), a start pulse signal (S_SP), a video signal (Video Data), anda control signal (S_WE) are inputted to the signal line driver circuit101.

The clock signal (S_CLK) is a signal alternating between H (High) and L(Low) at regular intervals, and the inverted clock signal (S_CLKB) is asignal having an inverted polarity of the clock signal (S_CLK). Inaccordance with these signals, the signal line driver circuit 101 issynchronized and the timing to execute a process is controlled. Thus,when the start pulse signal (S_SP) is inputted to the signal line drivercircuit 101, a sampling pulse corresponding to a column of a pixel isgenerated in accordance with the clock signal (S_CLK) and the invertedclock signal (S_CLKB). In other words, the sampling pulse is a signalfor controlling the timing to convert a video signal to be written to apixel into data of a column of the pixel when the video signal isinputted to the signal line driver circuit 101. Therefore, in accordancewith this sampling pulse, a video signal (Video Data) inputted to thesignal line driver circuit 101 as serial data can be converted intoparallel data. Note that in the case of a line sequential displaydevice, this parallel data of the video signal is held in the signalline driver circuit 101 and supplied simultaneously to each of thesignal lines S1 to Sn. In addition, in the case of a dot sequentialdisplay device, serial data of the video signal is converted intoparallel data of the video signal and supplied to each of the signallines S1 to Sn in accordance with the timing of the sampling pulse. Inthis manner, the signal line driver circuit 101 supplies a video signalcorresponding to pixels of each column to each of the signal lines S1 toSn.

Accordingly, a pixel row to which a signal is written is selected at thetiming of the scan signal generated by the scan line driver circuit 102.Then, the video signal supplied from the signal line driver circuit 101to the signal lines S1 to Sn is written to the pixels 104 of each columnin the selected pixel row. Each pixel 104 stores data of the videosignal written thereto for a certain period.

When a normal display mode is selected, pixel rows are sequentiallyselected, and the video signal corresponding to each pixel 104 iswritten to all the pixels 104. Note that each pixel 104 can maintain alighting or non-lighting state by holding data of the signal writtenthereto for a certain period.

When a power saving mode is selected, partial display is performed. Inthe case of partial display, a part of the pixel portion 103 (forexample, pixels from an i-th row to a j-th row in the pixel portion) isused as a display area and the other part of the pixel portion 103 isused as a non-display area. While the scan line driver circuit 102selects the non-display area, operation of the signal line drivercircuit 101 is stopped. It is to be noted that the operation of thesignal line driver circuit 101 is not required to be stopped all thewhile the scan line driver circuit 102 selects the non-display area.Alternatively, the operation of the signal line driver circuit 101 maybe stopped in a part of period when the scan line driver circuit 102selects the non-display area.

It is to be noted that the case where the operation of the signal linedriver circuit 101 is stopped corresponds to, for example, a case wherea clock signal (CLK), an inverted clock signal (CLKB), and the like stopto be inputted to the signal line driver circuit 101, thereby operationof a shift register circuit in the signal line driver circuit 101 isstopped. That is, operation of a shift register circuit is stopped,which outputs a sampling pulse for taking timing to convert videosignals serially inputted to the signal line driver circuit 101 intoparallel video signals corresponding to pixels of each column.

While the operation of the signal line driver circuit 101 is stopped, anon-display signal is supplied from the signal line driver circuit 101to the signal lines S1 to Sn, thereby the non-display signal can beinputted to a pixel selected by a scan line. It is to be noted that thenon-display signal is not limited to a signal which makes a pixel emitno light. That is to say, a pixel to which the non-display signal isinputted in the pixel portion may form a background image independent ofdisplay. The background image may be displayed in white or black as faras lower power consumption of the display device can be achieved. In thecase where an analog signal is inputted to the pixel 104, a non-displaysignal may be an arbitrary signal expressing a certain gray scale level.For example, when the non-display area is always in a non-lightingstate, progress of deterioration considerably differs between a pixel inthe display area and a pixel in the non-display area, which causes animage burn-in phenomenon. Therefore, the non-display signal ispreferably a signal of an averaged gray scale level in the pixelportion.

In this manner, in the normal display mode, whole area display can beperformed, whereas in the power saving mode, partial display can beperformed. For example, in the normal display mode, whole area displaycan be performed as shown in FIG. 2A, whereas in the power saving mode,an upper portion of a display screen can be used as a display area and alower portion of the display screen can be used as a non-display area asshown in FIG. 2B, or upper and lower portions of the display screen canbe non-display areas and an area between the upper and lower portions ofthe display screen can be a display area as shown in FIG. 2C. In thepower saving mode, power consumption can be drastically reduced.

It is to be noted that a pixel in the non-display area may be set so asnot to be selected. That is to say, a control signal (G_WE) is inputtedto the scan line driver circuit 102 as a display device shown in FIG.11. For example, when the control signal (G_WEE) is at an L level, apixel is selected in accordance with an output of a shift registercircuit in the scan line driver circuit 102. On the other hand, when thecontrol signal (G_WE) is at an H level, all the pixels may be set so asnot to be selected.

Subsequently, FIG. 4 shows an example of a signal line driver circuitwhich can be applied to a display device of this embodiment mode.

The signal line driver circuit shown in FIG. 4 includes a shift registercircuit 401, a first latch circuit 402, a second latch circuit 403, anda switching circuit 404. The switching circuit 404 has an analog switch405 and a transistor 406 at each stage. Each analog switch 405 isconnected so as to electrically connect Or disconnect an output terminalat each stage of the second latch circuit 403 and each of the signallines S1 to Sn. Further, each transistor 406 is connected so as toelectrically connect or disconnect a wire 408 and each of the signallines S1 to Sn. It is to be noted that a potential to be a non-displaysignal inputted to each pixel is applied to the wire 408.

A clock signal (S_CLK), an inverted clock signal (S_CLKB), and a startpulse signal (S_SP) are inputted to the shift register circuit 401. Inaccordance with these signals, sampling pulses are sequentiallyoutputted.

The sampling pulses outputted from the shift register circuit 401 areinputted to the first latch circuit 402, and video signals (Video Data)are held in the first latch circuit 402 in accordance with timing of thesampling pulse.

After holding of the video signals is completed up to the last stage inthe first latch circuit 402, latch pulses are inputted to the secondlatch circuit 403 and the video signals held in the first latch circuit402 in a horizontal retrace period are simultaneously transmitted to thesecond latch circuit 403.

The video signals transmitted to the second latch circuit 403 areinputted to the switching circuit 404. A control signal (S_WE) isinputted to the switching circuit 404. The control signal controlswhether the signals held in the second latch circuit 403 or the signalwhich puts a pixel in a non-displaying state is supplied to the signallines S1 to Sn That is, a control signal (S_WE) and an inverted signalof the control signal (S_WE), which can be obtained through the inverter407, are inputted to a control terminal of the analog switch 405. Theinverted signal of the control signal (S_WE) is also inputted to a gateterminal of the transistor 406. Further, the analog switch 405 and thetransistor 406 are turned on/off in a complimentary manner. When theanalog switch 405 is in an on state, an output terminal at each stage ofthe second latch circuit 403 and each of the signal lines S1 to Sn areelectrically connected, and the transistor 406 is turned off at thistime. Meanwhile, when the analog switch 405 is turned off, an outputterminal at each stage of the second latch circuit 403 and each of thesignal lines S1 to Sn are electrically disconnected, and the transistor406 is turned on at this time. As a result, the wire 408 connected to asource terminal of the transistor 406 and each of the signal lines S1 toSn are electrically connected.

That is, when the control signal (S_WE) is at an H level, a non-displaysignal is outputted from the switching circuit 404 to a pixel, whereaswhen the control signal (S_WE) is at an L level, a video signal isoutputted from the switching circuit 404 to a pixel.

Subsequently, FIG. 3 shows a timing chart in the case where upper andlower portions of the display screen are display areas and an areabetween the upper and lower portions (pixels from an i-th row to a j-throw) of the display screen is a non-display area in the power savingmode of the display device to which the signal line driver circuit ofthis structure is applied.

Note that when the control signal (S_WE) is at an H level, a non-displaysignal is outputted from a signal line driver circuit to a signal line.After a video signal of a pixel in an (i−1)th row is transmitted to thesecond latch circuit 403 so that the video signal is written to thepixel in an (i−1)th row, the control signal (S_WE) is shifted to from anL level to an H level. That is, while or immediately after a videosignal of a pixel in an i-th row is inputted to the first latch circuit402, the control signal (S_WE) is shifted from an L level to an H level.

Immediately after a video signal of a pixel in a (j+1)th row istransmitted to the second latch circuit 403 before a video signal of apixel in a (j+2)th row is transmitted to the second latch circuit 403,the control signal (S_WE) is shifted from an H level to an L level.

Further, when the control signal (S_WE) is shifted from an L level to anH level, a clock signal (S_CLK) and an inverted clock signal (S_CLKB)stop to be inputted to the shift register circuit 401.

In the case where the clock signal (S_CLK) and the inverted clock signal(S_CLKB) are restored, they are restored no less than one horizontalperiod prior to the timing to shift the control signal (S_WE) from an Hlevel to an L level. That is, the clock signal (S_CLK) and the invertedclock signal (S_CLKB) are restored before the video signal of the pixelin the (j+1)th row starts to be inputted to the first latch circuit 402.

While the control signal (S_WE) is at an H level, the video signal ofthe pixel in the (j+1)th row is transmitted from the first latch circuit402 to the second latch circuit 403. When the control signal (S_WE) isshifted to an L level, the video signal of the pixel in the j+1)th rowcan be outputted from the signal line driver circuit to the signal line.

Note that while the clock signal (S_CLK) and the inverted clock signal(S_CLKB) stop to be inputted to the shift register circuit 401, a startpulse (S_SP) signal may also stop to be inputted.

Accordingly, central several rows (pixel rows from an i-th row to a j-throw) in a display screen become a non-display area, whereas upper andlower pixel rows except the central several rows (pixel rows from thefirst row to an (i−1)th row and pixel rows from a j+1)th row to an n-throw) in the display screen become display areas. In the case of partialdisplay, high-speed operation of the signal line driver circuit can bestopped, thereby power consumption can be lowered.

Further, a display device of the invention is not limited to a linesequential driving display device including a signal line driver circuitshown in FIG. 4, and it may be a dot sequential driving display device.FIG. 40 shows a signal line driver circuit which can be applied to thedot sequential driving display device.

The signal line driver circuit shown in FIG. 40 includes a shiftregister 4001, a sampling switch 4002, and a switching circuit 4003. Theshift register circuit 4001 includes plural stages of flip-flop circuits(FF) 4004 and AND circuits 4005. An input terminal of the AND circuit4005 is connected to an output terminal of the adjacent flip-flopcircuit (FF) 4004. Accordingly, a sampling pulse which sequentiallyshifts is outputted from an output terminal of each AND circuit 4005.

The sampling switch 4002 has a switch 4006 at each stage. An outputterminal of the AND circuit 4005 at each stage is connected to a controlterminal of the switch 4006 at each stage. Therefore, the switches 4006are sequentially turned on in accordance with the sampling pulse.

Further, the switching circuit 4003 has an analog switch 4007 and atransistor 4008 at each stage. A video line to which a video signal isinputted is connected to signal lines S1 to Sn through the switch 4006and the analog switch 4007 at each stage. Each transistor 4008 isconnected so as to electrically connect or disconnect a wire 4009 andeach of the signal lines S1 to Sn. Note that a potential to be anon-display signal which is inputted to each pixel is applied to thewire 4009.

That is to say, a control signal (S_WE) and an inverted signal of thecontrol signal (S_WE), which can be obtained through an inverter 4010,are inputted to a control terminal of the analog switch 4007. Theinverted signal of the control signal (S_WE) is also inputted to a gateterminal of the transistor 4008. Further, the analog switch 4007 and thetransistor 4008 are turned on/off in a complimentary manner. When theanalog switch 4007 is in an on state, a video line and each of thesignal lines S1 to Sn are electrically connected, and the transistor4008 is turned off at this time. Meanwhile, when the analog switch 4007is turned off, a video line and each of the signal lines S1 to Sn areelectrically disconnected, and the transistor 4008 is turned on at thistime. As a result, the wire 4009 connected to a source terminal of thetransistor 4008 and each of the signal lines S1 to Sn are electricallyconnected.

That is, when the control signal (S_WE) is at an H level, a non-displaysignal is outputted from the switching circuit 4003 to a pixel, whereaswhen the control signal (S_WE) is at an L level, a video signal isoutputted from the switching circuit 4003 to a pixel.

Further, FIG. 41 shows a timing chart in the case where upper and lowerportions of a display screen are display areas and an area between theupper and lower portions (pixels from an i-th row to a j-th row) of thedisplay screen is a non-display area in the power saving mode of a dotsequential driving display device.

In this case, after a video signal of a pixel in an (i−1)th row iswritten to a pixel, the control signal (S_WE) is shifted to be from atan L level to at an H level. At this time, the clock signal (S_CLK) andthe inverted clock signal (S_CLKB) also stop to be inputted to thesignal line driver circuit.

Immediately before a video signal of a pixel in a (i+1)th row isinputted to the signal line driver circuit, the control signal (S_WE) isshifted from an H level to an L level. At this time, the clock signal(S_CLK) and the inverted clock signal (S_CLKB) also stop to be inputtedto the signal line driver circuit.

Note that while the clock signal (S_CLK) and the inverted clock signal(S_CLKB) stop to be inputted to the shift register circuit 4001, thestart pulse (S_SP) signal may also stop to be inputted.

Accordingly, central several rows (pixel rows from an i-th row to a j-throw) in a display screen become a non-display area, whereas upper andlower pixel rows except the central several rows (pixel rows from thefirst row to an (i−1)th row and pixel rows from a (j+1)th row to an n-throw) in the display screen become display areas. In the case of partialdisplay, high-speed operation of the signal line driver circuit can bestopped, thereby power consumption can be lowered.

FIG. 6 shows a more preferable structure of a display panel in thedisplay device of this embodiment mode. The display panel in FIG. 6 isformed by interposing a pixel portion 603 between a connecting terminalportion 605 to which a signal is inputted externally and a signal linedriver circuit 601. A signal line driver circuit 601, a scan line drivercircuit 602, a pixel portion 603, and a connecting terminal portion 605are provided over a substrate 600. Over the pixel portion 603, a counterelectrode 604 is formed so as to cover the pixel portion 603. Thecounter electrode 604 is connected through a contact hole 608 to a wirewider than pads of a plurality of connecting terminals 607 extended fromthe connecting terminals 607 to which a low power source potential ofthe counter electrode formed in the connecting terminal portion 605 isinputted. The connecting terminal 606 to which a video signal isinputted is connected to the signal line driver circuit 601 through avideo line 609. Further, a connecting terminal 611 to which a clocksignal (S_CLK) is inputted is connected to the signal line drivercircuit 601 through a clock line 610. In the case of using thisstructure, the resistance of the power supply line from an FPC to thecounter electrode 604 (such as the contact resistance of the connectingterminal 607 and an FPC terminal or the wire resistance between thecounter electrode 604 and the connecting terminal 607) can be reduced.Thus, a voltage drop in the power supply line can be reduced, and thepotential of the counter electrode 604 can be set normal. Even if leadwiring becomes long like the video line 609 or the clock line 610, inthe case of partial display, no signal is inputted to the video line 609or the clock line 610; therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

Embodiment Mode 2

In this embodiment mode, description is made of a case where theinvention is applied to a display device such as an EL display having acurrent drive display element (hereinafter referred to as a lightemitting element) as a display element.

First, description is made of a pixel structure which can be applied toa display device of this embodiment mode with reference to FIG. 8.Although only one pixel is shown here, a plurality of pixels arearranged in matrix in a row direction and a column direction in a pixelportion of the display device. A pixel shown in FIG. 8 includes a firsttransistor (switching transistor) 802, a second transistor (drivingtransistor) 801, a capacitor 803, a light emitting element 804, a firstwire (scan line) 805, a second wire (signal line) 806, and a third wire(power source line) 807.

A gate terminal, a first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drainterminal), and a second terminal (the other of the source terminal andthe drain terminal) of the first transistor 802 are connected to thefirst wire, 805, the second wire 806, and a gate terminal of the secondtransistor 801, respectively. Further, the second terminal of the firsttransistor 802 is connected to the third wire 807 through the capacitor803. A first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drain terminal)and a second terminal (the other of, the source terminal and the drainterminal) of the second transistor 801 are connected to the third wire807 and a first electrode (pixel electrode) of the light emittingelement 804, respectively. A low power source potential is applied to asecond electrode (counter electrode) 808 of the light emitting element804. Note that a low power source potential is a potential whichsatisfies the relation: low power source potential<high power sourcepotential on the basis of a high power source potential applied to thethird wire 807. As a low power source potential, a GND potential, 0 V,or the like may be applied. A potential difference between a high powersource potential and a low power source potential is applied to thelight emitting element 804. Then, in order to make the light emittingelement 804 emit light by applying a current to the light emittingelement 804, a high power source potential and a low power sourcepotential are set so that the potential difference between them is aforward threshold voltage or more.

It is to be noted that the capacitor 803 may be connected to a positionwhere the gate potential of the second transistor 801 can be held. Forexample, one electrode and the other electrode of the capacitor 803 maybe connected to the gate terminal of the second transistor 801 and awire other than the third wire 807 respectively. The capacitor 803 maybe omitted when the gate capacitance of the second transistor 801 isused as a substitute.

Subsequently, operation of a pixel is described.

When a signal is written to a pixel, an H-level signal to turn on thefirst transistor 802 is supplied to the first wire 805. Then, the firsttransistor 802 is turned on and a pixel to which a signal is written isselected. Then, a video signal is written from the second wire 806 to apixel. That is, a charge corresponding to a voltage for the video signalis accumulated in the capacitor 803. When a signal to be supplied to thefirst wire 805 is set at an L level to turn off the first transistor802, the capacitor 803 holds the voltage. It is to be noted that avoltage between the gate terminal and the first terminal of the secondtransistor 801 corresponds to a gate-source voltage Vgs of the secondtransistor 801.

Here, in the case of a voltage input voltage drive method, a videosignal (Vsig (L) to turn on and Vsig (H) to turn off) which turns thesecond transistor 801 sufficiently on or off is inputted to the gateterminal of the second transistor 801. That is, the second transistor801 operates in a linear region, which is as a switch.

Therefore, when a video signal Vsig (L) to turn on the second transistor801 is inputted, a power source potential Vdd applied to the third wire807 is ideally applied to the first electrode of the light emittingelement 804 as it is.

It is preferable that an H level signal supplied to the first wire 805be a potential V1 which is higher than a video signal to make a pixelemit no light (a gate potential Vsig (H) to turn off the secondtransistor 801) by a threshold voltage Vth of the first transistor 802or more. This is because the first terminal of the first transistor 802as an N-channel transistor becomes a drain terminal when Vsig (H) isinputted to the second wire 806. Therefore, the first transistor 802 isturned off when a potential of the second terminal (source terminal atthis time) is lower than a potential of the gate terminal by a thresholdvoltage Vth of the first transistor 802. That is, when a gate potentialof the first transistor 802 is lower than V1, Vsig (H) supplied to thesecond wire 806 cannot be inputted to the gate terminal of the secondtransistor 801. Then, the second transistor 801 cannot be turned offcompletely, thereby the light emitting element 804 slightly emits lightin some cases.

It is preferable that an L level signal supplied to the first wire 805have a potential lower than Vsig (L). For example, in the case where apotential of an L level signal to be supplied to the first wire 805 isequal to that of a video signal (gate potential Vsig (L) to turn on thesecond transistor 801) which makes a pixel emit light, when Vsig (L) issupplied to the second wire 806 in order to write a signal to a pixel inanother row, a gate-source voltage of the first transistor 802 becomes 0V in the pixel to which Vsig (H) is written. Then, an off current flowswhen the first transistor 802 is normally-on. Accordingly, the chargeaccumulated in the capacitor 803 is discharged and the gate potential ofthe second transistor 801 becomes low, thereby a current flows throughthe second transistor 801, which makes the light emitting element 804slightly emit light in some cases.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a structure of a display device having theaforementioned pixel structure. The display device includes a signalline driver circuit 701, a scan line driver circuit 702, and a pixelportion 703. Signal lines S1 to Sn are extended from the signal linedriver circuit 701 to the pixel portion 703, and scan lines G1 to Gm areextended from the scan line driver circuit 702 to the pixel portion 703.Pixels 704 are arranged in matrix corresponding to the scan lines G1 toGm and the signal lines S1 to Sn.

The pixel 704 includes a driving transistor 705, a switching transistor706, a capacitor 707, and a light emitting element 708. A gate terminal,a first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drain terminal), and asecond terminal (the other of the source terminal and the drainterminal) of the switching transistor 706 are connected to any one ofthe scan lines G1 to Gm, any one of the signal lines S1 to Sn, and agate terminal of the driving transistor 705, respectively. Further, afirst terminal (one of a source terminal and a drain terminal), and asecond terminal (the other of the source terminal and the drainterminal) of the driving transistor 705 are connected to a pixelelectrode of the light emitting element 708 and any one of power sourcelines P1 to Pn, respectively.

Since operation of the scan line driver circuit 702 is similar to thatin FIG. 1, which is described in Embodiment Mode 1, description thereofis omitted here. As the signal line driver circuit 701, the signal linedriver circuit in FIG. 4, which is described in Embodiment Mode 1, canbe used, and description thereof is omitted here.

Here, in a digital time gray scale method, a technique to simultaneouslyperform writing operation of a signal to a pixel and erasing operationof a signal to a pixel is employed in order to realize high definitionand a high gray scale display. That is, in a driving method that a pixelto which a signal is written immediately starts a light emission period(sustain period), the signal written to the pixel is erased before anext signal is written to the pixel in order to provide a light emissiontime shorter than a writing period (address period) of a signal to apixel. Such a driving method is described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows operation of one frame period in accordance with time. InFIG. 5, the lateral direction expresses time and the vertical directionexpresses the number of scan rows of scan lines.

When an image is displayed, Writing operation and light emittingoperation are alternately performed. A period to perform writingoperation and light emitting operation for one screen (one frame) isreferred to as one frame period. The process of signals for one frame isnot particularly limited; however, at least approximately 60 times persecond is preferable so that a person who sees the image does not sensea flicker.

As shown in FIG. 5, one frame period is time-divided into four subframeperiods including address periods Ta1, Ta2, Ta3, and Ta4 and sustainperiods Ts1, Ts2, Ts3, and Ts4. That is, each pixel row is time-dividedinto writing time Tb1, Tb2, Tb3, and Tb4 and light emission time Ts1(i),Ts2(i), Ts3(i), and Ts4(i). When a signal for light emission is inputtedto a pixel, a light emitting element therein is in a light emissionstate in the sustain period. A ratio of lengths of light emission timein each subframe period isTs1(i):Ts2(i):Ts3(i):Ts4(i)=2³:2²:2¹:2⁰=8:4:2:1, thereby a 4-bit grayscale can be expressed. However, the numbers of bits and gray scalelevels are not limited to those described here, for example, eightsubframe periods may be provided to express an 8-bit gray scale.

Operation of one frame period is described. First, in the address periodTa1, writing operation is performed in the writing time Tb1 of each rowfrom the first to last rows. That is, scan signals are sequentiallyinputted to a scan line from the first row, thereby pixels are selected.Then, when the pixel is selected, a video signal is inputted from asignal line to the pixel. Depending on the potential thereof, each pixelis controlled to emit light or no light in the sustain period Ts1.Accordingly, start time of writing operation to a pixel differsdepending on rows. The row where the writing operation has terminatedsequentially starts the sustain period Ts1. In the sustain period, alight emitting element of a pixel to which a signal for light emissionis inputted is in a light emission state. Further, the row where thesustain period Ts1 has terminated sequentially starts signal writingoperation of a next subframe period, and writing operation issequentially performed similarly from the first to the last rows in eachsignal writing time Tb2. In this manner, a video signal is inputted to apixel similarly in the address periods Ta2, Ta3, and Ta4, and dependingon a potential thereof, each pixel is controlled to emit light or nolight in the sustain periods Ts2, Ts3, and Ts4. By repeating theaforementioned operations, operations up to the sustain period Ts4 isterminated.

Like the sustain period Ts4, when a sustain period is required to beforcibly terminated in a row where light emission time is alreadyterminated before writing operation up to the last row is terminated, avideo signal written to a pixel is erased by erasing time Te so as tocontrol to forcibly put the pixel in a non-light emission state. In therow where the non-light emission state is forcibly made, the non-lightemission state is kept for a certain period (this period is a non-lightemission period Te4). As soon as the writing period of the last row isterminated, an address period of a next frame period (or a subframeperiod) sequentially starts from the first row. Accordingly, a subframeperiod in which light emission time is shorter than an address periodcan be provided.

In this manner, integrated light emission time in the subframe periodscorresponds to light emission time of each pixel in one frame period, bywhich a gray scale is expressed.

It is to be noted that the subframe periods are sequentially arranged inthe order from the longest sustain period; however, they are notnecessarily arranged like this. For example, the subframe periods may besequentially arranged in the order from the shortest sustain period orthe subframe period with a long sustain period and the one with a shortsustain period may be arranged at random.

FIG. 10 shows a pixel configuration of a display device which realizessuch a driving method. The pixel includes a driving transistor 1001, aswitching transistor 1002, a capacitor 1003, a light emitting element1004, a first scan line 1005, a signal line-1006, a power source line1007, an erasing transistor 1009, and a second scan line 1010.

A gate terminal, a first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drainterminal), and a second terminal (the other of the source terminal andthe drain terminal) of the switching transistor 1002 are connected tothe scan line 1005, the signal line 1006, and a gate terminal of thedriving transistor 1001, respectively. Further, the second terminal ofthe switching transistor 1002 is also connected to the power source line1007 through the capacitor 1003. A first terminal (one of a sourceterminal and a drain terminal) and a second terminal (the other of thesource terminal and the drain terminal) of the driving transistor 1001are connected to the power source line 1007 and a first electrode (pixelelectrode) of the light emitting element 1004, respectively. A low powersource potential Vss is applied to a second electrode (counterelectrode) 1008 of the light emitting element 1004. It is to be notedthat the low power source potential Vss is a potential which satisfiesVss<Vdd on the basis of a high power source potential Vdd applied to thepower source line 1007. As the low power source potential Vss, GND, 0 V,or the like may be applied. A potential difference between the highpower source potential Vdd and the low power source potential Vss isapplied to the light emitting element 1004 so as to supply currentthereto to emit light; therefore, each of the high power sourcepotential Vdd and the low power source potential Vss is set so that apotential difference between them becomes a forward threshold voltage ofthe light emitting element 1004.

An erasing transistor is provided in parallel with the capacitor 1003.That is, a first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drainterminal) of the erasing transistor 1009 is connected to the gateterminal of the driving transistor 1001 and a second terminal (the otherof the source terminal and the drain terminal) thereof is connected tothe power source line 1007. Further, a gate terminal of the erasingtransistor 1009 is connected to the second scan line 1010. It is to benoted that the capacitor 1003 may be omitted when the gate capacitanceof the driving transistor 1001 is used as a substitute.

First, description is made on writing operation of a signal to a pixel.When a pixel is selected by the first scan line 1005, that is the casewhere the switching transistor 1002 is in an on state, a video signal isinputted from the signal line 1006 to the pixel. Then, a chargecorresponding to a voltage for the video signal is accumulated in thecapacitor 1003, and the capacitor 1003 holds the voltage when theswitching transistor 1002 is turned off. This voltage is a voltagebetween the gate terminal and the first terminal of the drivingtransistor 1001 and corresponds to a gate-source voltage Vgs of thedriving transistor 1001.

It is to be noted that an operating region of a transistor (n-channeltransistor here for simplification) can be generally divided into alinear region and a saturation region. When a drain-source voltage isVds, a gate-source voltage is Vgs, and a threshold voltage is Vth, aboundary between the linear region and the saturation region is when(Vgs−Vth)=Vds is satisfied. In the case where (Vgs−Vth)<Vds issatisfied, a transistor operates in a saturation region and ideally, acurrent value hardly changes even when Vds changes. That is, a currentvalue is determined only by the level of Vgs. On the other hand, in thecase where (Vgs−Vth)>Vds is satisfied, a transistor operates in a linearregion and a current value is determined in accordance with the levelsof Vds and Vgs. Then, in the case where a transistor operates in alinear region, Vds can be low since Vgs is high. That is, potentials ofa source terminal and a drain terminal can be almost equal. Therefore,when a transistor operates in a linear region, the transistor canfunction as a switch.

Therefore, in the case of a voltage input voltage drive method as inthis pixel, a video signal which turns the driving transistor 1001sufficiently on or off is inputted to the gate terminal so that thedriving transistor 1001 functions as a switch.

Therefore, when a pixel emits light, a video signal which turns on thedriving transistor 1001 in a linear region is inputted from the signalline 1006. Then, the driving transistor 1001 functions almost as aswitch; therefore, a power source potential Vdd applied to the powersource line 1007 is ideally applied to a first electrode of the lightemitting element 1004 as it is. On the other hand, when a pixel emits nolight, a video signal which turns the driving transistor 1001sufficiently off is inputted from the signal line 1006.

That is, ideally, a voltage applied to the light emitting element 1004is made constant and luminance obtained by the light emitting element1004 is made constant. Then, a plurality of subframe periods areprovided in one frame period and a video signal is written to each pixelin a signal writing period (address period) of each subframe period. Ina light emission period (sustain period), each pixel holds the videosignal. Then, a pixel emits light or no light depending on the videosignal. It is to be noted that in a subframe where light emission timeis shorter than an address period, the signal held in each pixel in theerasing period is erased. Then, light emission or non-light emission ofa pixel is controlled per subframe period, and a gray scale is expressedby a sum of light emission time in one frame period.

Next, description is made on an erasing operation in an erasing periodof a video signal written to a pixel. The second scan line 1010 selectsa pixel and turns on the erasing transistor 1009, thereby a voltage heldin the capacitor 1003 is erased. That is, a charge accumulated in thecapacitor 1003 is discharged and potentials of both electrodes of thecapacitor 1003 are made equal. In this manner, potentials of a gate anda source of the driving transistor 1001 are made equal to turn off thedriving transistor 1001.

Further, description is made on another pixel structure realizing asimilar driving method with reference to FIG. 9. Although one pixel isshown here, a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix in the rowdirection and the column direction in a pixel portion of a displaydevice.

The pixel shown in FIG. 9 includes a driving transistor 901, a switchingtransistor 902, a capacitor 903, a light emitting element 904, a firstscan line 905, a signal line 906, a power source line 907, a rectifyingelement 909, and a second scan line 910. A gate terminal, a firstterminal (one of a source terminal and a drain terminal), and a secondterminal (the other of the source terminal and the drain terminal) ofthe switching transistor 902 are connected to the first scan line 905,the signal line 906, and a gate terminal of the driving transistor 901,respectively. The gate terminal of the driving transistor 901 isconnected to the second scan line 910 through the rectifying element909. Further, the second terminal of the switching transistor 902 isconnected to the power source line 907 through the capacitor 903.Further, a first terminal (one of a source terminal and a drainterminal) and a second terminal (the other of the source terminal andthe drain terminal) of the driving transistor 901 are connected to thepower source line 907 and a first electrode (pixel electrode) of thelight emitting element 904, respectively. A low power source potentialis applied to a second electrode (counter electrode) 908 of the lightemitting element 904. It is to be noted that the low power sourcepotential satisfies low power source potential<high power sourcepotential on the basis of a high power source potential applied to thepower source line 907. As the low power source potential, GND, 0 V, orthe like may be applied. A potential difference between the high powersource potential and the low power source potential is applied to thelight emitting element 904 so as to make it emit light; therefore, eachof the high power source potential and the low power source potential isset so that a potential difference between them becomes equal to orhigher than a forward threshold voltage of the light emitting element1004.

It is to be noted that the capacitor 903 may be connected to a positionwhere a gate potential of the driving transistor 901 can be held. Forexample, one electrode of the capacitor 903 may be connected to the gateterminal of the driving transistor 901 and the other electrode thereofmay be connected to a wire other than the power source line 907.Further, the capacitor 903 may be omitted when the gate capacitance ofthe driving transistor 901 is used as a substitute.

Subsequently, description is made of operation of a pixel.

When a signal is written to a pixel, an H level signal to turn on theswitching transistor 902 is inputted to the first scan line 905. Then,the switching transistor 902 is turned on and a pixel to which a signalis written is selected. Then, a video signal is written from the signalline 906 to a pixel. That is, a charge corresponding to a voltage forthe video signal is accumulated in the capacitor 903. When the firstscan line 905 is set at an L level so as to turn off the switchingtransistor 902, the capacitor 903 holds the voltage. It is to be notedthat a voltage between the gate terminal and the first terminal of thedriving transistor 901 corresponds to a gate-source voltage Vgs of thedriving transistor 901.

Here, in the case of a voltage input voltage drive method, a videosignal (Vsig (L) to turn on and Vsig (H) to turn off) which turns thedriving transistor 901 sufficiently on or off is inputted to the gateterminal of the driving transistor 901. That is, the driving transistor901 operates in a linear region, which is as a switch.

Therefore, when a video signal Vsig (L) to turn on the drivingtransistor 901 is inputted, a power source potential Vdd applied to thepower source line 907 is ideally applied to the first electrode of thelight emitting element 904 as it is.

It is preferable that an H level signal inputted to the first scan line905 be a potential V1 which is higher than a video signal to make apixel emit no light (a gate potential Vsig (H) to turn off the drivingtransistor 901) by a threshold voltage Vth of the switching transistor902. This is because the first terminal of the switching transistor 902as an n-channel transistor becomes a drain terminal when Vsig (H) isinputted to the signal line 906. Therefore, the switching transistor 902is turned off when a potential of the second terminal (source terminalat this time) is lower than a potential of the gate terminal by athreshold voltage Vth of the switching transistor 902. That is, when agate potential of the switching transistor 902 is lower than V1, Vsig(H) inputted to the signal line 906 cannot be inputted to the gateterminal of the driving transistor 901. Then, the driving transistor 901cannot be turned off completely, thereby the light emitting element 904slightly emits light in some cases.

It is preferable that an L level signal inputted to the first scan line905 be a potential lower than Vsig (L). For example, in the case where apotential of an L level signal inputted to the first scan line 905 isequal to that of a video signal (gate potential Vsig (L) to turn on thedriving transistor 901) which makes a pixel emit light, when Vsig (L) isinputted to the signal line 906 for writing a signal to a pixel inanother row, a gate-source voltage of the switching transistor 902becomes 0 V in the pixel to which Vsig (H) is written. Then, an offcurrent flows when the switching transistor 902 is normally-on.Accordingly, the charge accumulated in the capacitor 903 is dischargedand the gate potential of the driving transistor 901 becomes low,thereby a current flows through the driving transistor 901 which makesthe light emitting element 904 slightly emit light in some cases.

Next, description is made on an erasing operation. In the erasingoperation, an H level signal is inputted to the second scan line 910.Then, a current flows through the rectifying element 909, thereby thegate potential of the driving transistor 901 held by the capacitor 903can be a certain predetermined potential. That is, it is possible to seta potential of the gate terminal of the driving transistor 901 to be apredetermined potential and to forcibly turn off the driving transistor901 regardless of a video signal written to a pixel in a signal writingperiod. It is to be noted that a potential of the gate terminal of thedriving transistor 901 becomes lower than that of the second scan line910 by a threshold voltage of the rectifying element 909.

At this time, it is preferable that an H level signal inputted to thesecond scan line 910 be a potential equal to or higher than a high powersource potential inputted to the power source line 907. By appropriatelysetting the potential of the H level signal, the potential of the gateterminal of the driving transistor 901 can be set higher than thepotential of the source terminal thereof when forcibly turning off thedriving transistor 901 in the erasing period. Accordingly, even when thedriving transistor 901 is normally-on, the driving transistor 901 can beturned off so as to prevent the light emitting element 904 from slightlyemitting light.

It is to be noted that an H level signal inputted to the second scanline 910 may be the same as an H level signal inputted to the first scanline 905. As a result, the number of power source lines can be reduced.

It is to be noted that an L level signal is inputted to the second scanline 910 except for in the erasing operation. It is preferable that thepotential of the L level signal be a potential equal to or lower thanthat of a video signal (gate potential Vsig (L) to turn on the drivingtransistor 901) which makes a pixel emit light. However, if thepotential of the L level signal is set too low, a reverse bias voltageapplied to the rectifying element 909 becomes high in the case where avideo signal for non-light emission (gate potential Vsig (H)to turn offthe driving transistor 901) is written to the pixel. Accordingly, an offcurrent flowing to the rectifying element 909 (also referred to as areverse current) is increased and a charge held in the capacitor 903leaks. Then, the gate potential of the driving transistor 901 falls,thereby an off current of the driving transistor 901 increases.Therefore, it is preferable that the potential of the L level signal beequal to that of a video signal which makes a pixel emit light (gatepotential Vsig (L) to turn on the driving transistor 901).

It is to be noted that the time of erasing operation is when a videosignal written to a pixel is erased and corresponds to erase time Te inthe timing chart shown in FIG. 5. Further, an erasing period is a periodafter an erasing operation of the pixel until a signal writing operationto the pixel and corresponds to the erasing period Te4 in the timingchart shown in FIG. 5.

Subsequently, FIG. 38 shows a structure of a display device to which theaforementioned driving method can be applied, that is, a structureexample of a display device having the pixel structure of FIG. 9 or 10.

The display device includes a signal line driver circuit 3801, a firstscan line driver circuit 3802, a second scan line driver circuit 3805,and a pixel portion 3803. Signal lines S1 to Sn are extended from thesignal line driver circuit 3801 in a column direction, first scan linesG1 to Gm are extended from the first scan line driver circuit 3802 in arow direction, and second scan lines R1 to Rm are extended from thesecond scan line driver circuit 3805 in the row direction. A pluralityof pixels 3804 are arranged in matrix in the pixel portion 3803corresponding to the signal lines S1 to Sn, the first scan lines G1 toGm, and the second scan lines R1 to Rm.

Signals such as a clock signal (G_CLK), an inverted clock signal(G_CLKB), and a start pulse signal (G_SP) are inputted to the first scanline driver circuit 3802. In accordance with these signals, a signal isoutputted to a first scan line Gp (one of the first scan lines G1 to Gm)of a pixel row to be selected. Then, a pixel row to which a signal iswritten is selected.

Signals such as a clock signal (R_CLK), an inverted clock signal (RCLKB), and a start pulse signal (RASP) are inputted to the second scanline driver circuit 3805. In accordance with these signals, a signal isoutputted to a second scan line Rp (one of the second scan lines R1 toRm) of a pixel row to be selected. Then, a pixel row in which a signalis erased is selected.

Signals such as a clock signal (S_CLK), an inverted clock signal(S_CLKB), a start pulse signal (S_SP), and a video signal (Video Data)are inputted to the signal line driver circuit 3801. In accordance withthese signals, a video signal corresponding to the pixels in each columnis outputted to each of the signal lines S1 to Sn. Further, a controlsignal (S_WE) is inputted to the signal line driver circuit 3801. Inaccordance with the signal, a video signal is outputted when the normaldisplay mode is selected, whereas a non-display signal is outputted whenthe power saving mode is selected.

Therefore, the video signal supplied to the signal lines S1 to Sn iswritten to the pixel 3804 of each column in a pixel row selected by asignal inputted through the first scan line Gp (one of the scan lines G1to Gm). Then, each pixel row is selected through each of the first scanlines G1 to Gm, and video signals corresponding to each of the pixels3804 are inputted to all the pixels 3804. Each of the pixels 3804 holdsthe data of the written video signal for a certain period, thereby eachof the pixels 3804 can keep a light emission or non-light emissionstate. In a subframe period in which a sustain period is shorter than anaddress period, each pixel row is selected through the second scan linesR1 to Rm, and an erasing signal is inputted to all the pixels 3804.

It is to be noted that the aforementioned driving method can be realizedalso in the pixel shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 39 shows a structure of adisplay device in that case and operation thereof is described below.

The display device includes a signal line driver circuit 3901, a firstscan line driver circuit 3902, a second scan line driver circuit 3905,and a pixel portion 3903. Pixels 3904 are arranged in matrixcorresponding to the scan lines G1 to Gm and the signal lines S1 to Snin the pixel portion 3903. The first scan line driver circuit 3902includes a shift register circuit 3906 and switches 3908 for controllingto: electrically connect or disconnect the shift register 3906 and eachof the scan lines G1 to Gm. The second scan line driver circuit 3905includes a shift register circuit 3907 and switches 3909 for controllingto electrically connect or disconnect the shift register 3906 and eachof the scan lines G1 to Gm.

It is to be noted that a scan line Gp (one of the scan lines G1 to Gm)corresponds to the first wire 805 of FIG. 8, and a signal line Sq (oneof the signal lines S1 to Sn) corresponds to the second wire 806 of FIG.8.

Signals such as a clock signal (G_CLK), an inverted clock signal(G_CLKB), a start pulse signal (G_SP), and a control signal (G_WE) areinputted to the first scan line driver circuit 3902. In accordance withthese signals, signals selecting pixels are outputted to a first scanline Gp (one of the first scan lines G1 to Gm) of a pixel row to beselected. Note that the signals at this time are pulses outputted in theformer half of one horizontal period as shown in a timing chart of FIG.42. That is, signals outputted from the shift register 3906 areoutputted to the scan lines G1 to Gm only when the switches 3908 are inan on state.

Signals such as a clock signal (R_CLK), an inverted clock signal (RCLKB), a start pulse signal (R_SP), and a control signal (R_WE) areinputted to the second scan line driver circuit 3905. In accordance withthese signals, signals are outputted to a second scan line Ri (one ofthe second scan lines R1 to Rm) of a pixel row to be selected. Note thatthe signals at this time are pulses outputted in the latter half of onehorizontal period as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 42. That is,signals outputted from the shift register 3907 are outputted to the scanlines G1 to Gm only when the switches 3909 are in an on state.

Signals such as a clock signal (S_CLK), an inverted clock signal(S_CLKB), a start pulse signal (S_SP), a video signal (video Data), andan output control signal (S_WE) are inputted to the signal line drivercircuit 3901. In accordance with these signals, a signal correspondingto pixels of each column is outputted to each of the signal lines S1 toSn. The output control signal (S_WE) controls a signal outputted fromthe signal line driver circuit 3901. That is, a video signal isoutputted when the control signal (S_WE) is at an L level, whereas anerasing signal or a non-display signal is outputted when the controlsignal (S_WE) is at an H level.

Therefore, the video signal inputted to the signal lines S1 to Sn iswritten to the pixel 3904 of each column in the pixel row selected by asignal inputted to a scan line Gi (one of the scan lines G1 to Gm) fromthe first scan line driver circuit 3902. Then, each pixel row isselected through each of the scan lines G1 to Gm, thereby video signalscorresponding to each of the pixels 3904 are written to all the pixels3904. Each of the pixels 3904 holds the data of the written video signalfor a certain period. Then, each of the pixels 3904 can keep a lightingstate or a non-lighting state by holding the data of the video signalfor a certain period.

Further, a signal (also referred to as erasing signal) for making apixel emit no light is written from the signal lines S1 to Sn to thepixel 3904 of each column in the pixel row selected by a signal inputtedto the scan line Gi (one of the scan lines G1 to Gm) from the secondscan line driver circuit 3905. Then, each pixel row is selected by eachof the scan lines G1 to Gm, thereby setting a non-lighting period. Forexample, the time when the pixel in an i-th row is selected by thesignal inputted from the second scan line driver circuit 3905 to thescan line Gi is erasing time Te in FIG. 5.

Embodiment Mode 3

In this embodiment mode, description is made of the case where theinvention is applied to the display device using a display element inwhich luminance of a pixel is changed in accordance with an appliedvoltage as a liquid crystal display device. The pixel shown in thisembodiment mode includes a circuit for holding an analog voltage and adigital signal memory circuit. That is, in the case where partialdisplay is performed in the power saving mode, a digital signal isstored in a pixel in a non-display area, thereby considerably reducingthe number of times of refresh operations to the pixel in thenon-display area, or requiring no more refresh operations.

First, FIG. 12 shows a basic structure of a pixel. Although only onepixel is shown here, a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix in arow direction and a column direction in a pixel portion of a displaydevice. The pixel includes an analog voltage holding circuit 1201, adigital signal memory circuit 1202, a display element 1203, a signalline 1204, a first switch 1205, and a second switch 1206.

In the case of this structure, the first switch 1205 is turned on inselecting the pixel.

In all pixels in the normal display mode and pixels in the power savingmode, the analog voltage holding circuit 1201 is selected by the secondswitch 1206. Then, an analog voltage corresponding to a video signal isinputted to the analog voltage holding circuit 1201 from the signal line1204.

The analog voltage holding circuit 1201 holds the analog voltage andapplies the voltage to the display element 1203. In this manner, a grayscale of the pixel is expressed in accordance with the analog voltage.Then, an analog voltage is inputted to the analog voltage holdingcircuit 1201 from the signal line 1204 in each frame period.

In the pixels in the power saving mode, the digital signal memorycircuit 1202 is selected by the second switch 1206. Then, a digitalsignal which puts a pixel in a non-displaying state is inputted to thedigital signal memory circuit 1202 from the signal line 1204.

The digital signal memory circuit 1202 stores the digital signal andapplies a potential to a pixel electrode of the display element 1203.Then, a signal written to a pixel in a non-display area is stored by thedigital signal memory circuit 1202; therefore, in the power saving mode,the number of times of rewriting a signal to the pixel in thenon-display area is not required to be drastically reduced, or thesignal is not required to be rewritten. Accordingly, power consumptioncan be drastically reduced.

Note that in the normal display mode, an analog voltage may be inputtedto a pixel as a video signal, whereas in the power saving mode, adigital signal may be written to all pixels in both a display area and anon-display area as a video signal. In that case, a digital signal canexpress only 2 gray scales; therefore, multi-gray scale display can beperformed by using an area gray scale method in combination.Alternatively, in the normal display mode, a moving image may bedisplayed, whereas in the power saving mode, a still image may bedisplayed.

The case of using an area gray scale method is described with referenceto FIGS. 13 and 14.

A display device in FIG. 13 includes a first signal line driver circuit1301, a second signal line driver circuit 1302, a pixel portion 1303,and a scan line driver circuit 1304. In the pixel portion 1303, pixels1305 are arranged in matrix corresponding to a scan line and a signalline.

Each of the pixels 1305 includes a sub-pixel 1306 a, a sub-pixel 1306 b,and a sub-pixel 1306 c. Lighting regions of the sub-pixels are weighted.For example, the sizes of the lighting regions are set so as to satisfy2²:2¹:2⁰. This makes it possible to perform 3-bit display, that is,display with 8 gray scale levels.

Note that a first switch 1307 of the sub-pixel 1306 a is connected to asignal line Da, a first switch 1307 of the sub-pixel 1306 b is connectedto a signal line Db, and a first switch 1307 of the sub-pixel 1306 c isconnected to a signal line Dc. By a signal inputted to a scan line Sfrom the scan line driver circuit 1304, the first switches 1307 of thesub-pixel 1306 a, the sub-pixel 1306 b, and the sub-pixel 1306 c arecontrolled to be turned on/off. In other words, the first switch 1307 isin an on state in a selected pixel. Then, an analog voltage or a digitalsignal is written to the analog voltage holding circuit 1309 or thedigital signal memory circuit 1310 from each signal line.

In other words, in the case of the normal display mode, a signal isinputted to the scan line S to turn on the first switch 1307, and theanalog voltage holding circuit 1309 is selected by the second switch1308. Analog voltages corresponding to video signals are inputted fromthe first signal line driver circuit 1301 to the signal lines Da, Db,and Dc. Then, the analog voltage is held in the analog voltage holdingcircuit 1309 of each sub-pixel. Note that at that time, the analogvoltages inputted to the signal lines Da, Db, and Dc which are connectedin the same pixel column are equal or approximately equal to oneanother. Therefore, a gray scale can be expressed depending on the levelof the analog voltage.

On the other hand, in the case of the power saving mode, a signal isinputted to the scan line S to turn on the first switch 1307, and thedigital signal memory circuit 1310 is selected by the second switch1308. A digital signal corresponding to a video signal is inputted fromthe second signal line driver circuit 1302 to the signal lines Da, Db,and Dc. Then, the digital signal is stored in the digital signal memorycircuit 1310 of each sub-pixel. Note that a signal of each bitcorresponding to the size of the lighting area of each sub-pixel isinputted as the digital signal inputted to each of the signal lines Da,Db, and Dc at that time. Therefore, a gray scale can be expressed byselecting lighting or non-lighting of each sub-pixel by the digitalsignal.

Next, a structure of FIG. 14 is described. A display device in FIG. 14includes a first signal line driver circuit 1401, a second signal linedriver circuit 1402, a pixel portion 1403, and a scan line drivercircuit 1404. In the pixel portion 1403, pixels 1405 are arranged inmatrix corresponding to a scan line and a signal line.

Each of the pixels 1405 includes a sub-pixel 1406 a, a sub-pixel 1406 b,and a sub-pixel 1406 c. Lighting areas of the sub-pixels are weighted.For example, the sizes of the lighting areas are set so as to satisfy2²:2¹:2⁰. This makes it possible to perform 3-bit display, that is,display with 8 gray scale levels.

Note that first switches 1407 of the sub-pixels 1406 a, 1406 b, and 1406c are connected to a signal line D. Then, the first switch 1407 of thesub-pixel 1406 a is controlled to be turned on/off by a signal inputtedto a scan line Sa from the scan line driver circuit 1404; the firstswitch 1407 of the sub-pixel 1406 b is controlled to be turned or/off bya signal inputted to a scan line Sb from the scan line driver circuit1404; and the first switch 1407 of the sub-pixel 1406 c is controlled tobe turned on/off by a signal inputted from the scan line driver circuit1404 to a scan line Sc. In other words, the first switch 1407 is in anon state in a selected pixel. Then, an analog voltage or a digitalsignal is written to the analog voltage holding circuit 1409 or thedigital signal memory circuit 1410 from each signal line.

In other words, in the case of the normal display mode, signals aresequentially inputted to the scan lines Sa, Sb, and Sc to turn on thefirst switch 1407 of each sub-pixel, and the analog voltage holdingcircuit 1409 is selected by the second switch 1408. An analog voltagecorresponding to a video signal is inputted from the first signal linedriver circuit 1401 to the signal line D. Then, the analog voltage issequentially held in the analog voltage holding circuit 1409 of eachsub-pixel. Note that the analog voltages inputted to the signal line Dwhile each sub-pixel is selected are equal or approximately equal to oneanother. Therefore, a gray scale can be expressed depending on the levelof the analog voltage.

On the other hand, in the case of the power saving mode, signals aresequentially inputted to the scan lines Sa, Sb, and Sc to turn on thefirst switch 1407 of each sub-pixels, and the digital signal memorycircuit 1410 is selected by the second switch 1408. A digital signalcorresponding to a video signal is inputted from the second signal linedriver circuit 1402 to the signal line D. Then, the digital signal issequentially stored in the digital signal memory circuit 1410 of eachsub-pixel. Note that a digital signal of each bit corresponding to thesize of the lighting area of each sub-pixel is inputted while eachsub-pixel is selected. Therefore, a gray scale can be expressed byselecting lighting or non-lighting of each sub-pixel by the digitalsignal.

Accordingly, when the partial display is performed in the display deviceof the invention in the case of power saving mode, the number of timesof rewriting a signal to a pixel in a display area can be considerablyreduced, or rewriting a signal is no more required.

In addition, FIG. 15 shows a structure example of a pixel including ananalog voltage holding circuit and a digital signal memory circuit. Thepixel includes a pixel selecting switch 1501, a first switch 1502, asecond switch 1503, a third switch 1504, a first inverter 1505, a secondinverter 1506, a display element 1508, a signal line 1509, and acapacitor 1510.

The pixel selecting switch 1501 is turned on when writing a signal tothe pixel.

Here, in the case of the normal display mode, the first switch 1502 andthe second switch 1503 are turned off. Note that the third switch 1504may be in either an on state or an off state. Then, an analog voltagecorresponding to a video signal is inputted from the signal line 1509,and a charge for the analog voltage is accumulated in the capacitor1510. By turning off the pixel selecting switch 1501, the analog voltageis held in the capacitor 1510.

In this manner, a gray scale is expressed in accordance with the analogvoltage.

On the other hand, in the case of the power saving mode, the firstswitch 1502 is turned on first, and then, the second switch 1503 isturned off. The third switch 1504 is turned on from an off state. Adigital signal corresponding to a video signal is inputted from thesignal line 1509 to the first inverter 1505, and the output from thefirst inverter 1505 is inputted to the second inverter 1506. Then, theoutput from the second inverter 1506 is inputted to the capacitor 1510and the display element 1508. Even if the pixel selecting switch 1501 isturned off, the output from the second inverter 1506 can keep beinginputted to a pixel electrode of the display element 1508. Note that thefirst switch 1502 and the third switch 1504 may be simultaneously turnedon in the case where the digital signal has high drive capability.

When the digital signal is written to the pixel, the digital signal isstored as shown in FIG. 16A. In other words, the output from the firstinverter 1505 is inputted to an input terminal of the second inverter1506 as shown by an arrow, and the output from the second inverter 1506is inputted to an input terminal of the first inverter 1505. Therefore,the digital signal written to the pixel can keep being stored.

In the case of applying a liquid crystal element to the display element1508, image burn-in or the like is caused in the liquid crystal elementwhen a DC voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element for a longtime. Therefore, a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element ispreferably inverted regularly. Thus, the first switch 1502 and thesecond switch 1503 are alternately turned on and off as shown in FIGS.16A and 16B with the pixel selecting switch 1501 turned off and thethird switch 1504 turned on. In addition, a potential applied to acounter electrode 1511 is also changed at timing when the first switch1502 and the second switch 1503 are regularly turned on/off. In a whitedisplay pixel, an AC voltage is applied to the display element 1508. Onthe other hand, in a black display pixel, a voltage applied to thedisplay element 1508 is set to be equal to or lower than a thresholdvoltage of the liquid crystal element.

For example, description is made with reference to FIG. 17 of the casewhere the pixel is put in a lighting state (white display) when adigital signal (Digital Video Data) inputted from the signal line 1509is High (also referred to as an H level) and the pixel is put in anon-lighting state (black display) when the digital signal (DigitalVideo Data) is Low (also referred to as an L level). At this time, apotential applied to the counter electrode 1511 is set to be at an Llevel in a signal writing period to the pixel. In a writing time(referring to time for writing a signal to a selected pixel within thesignal writing period to the pixel), the third switch 1504 is turned onfrom off with the pixel selecting switch 1501 turned on, the firstswitch 1502 turned on, and the second switch 1503 turned off. Then, in apower saving mode period, the pixel selecting switch 1501 is turned offand the third switch is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 17, in a pixel to which a High digital signal (DigitalVideo Data) is inputted from the signal line 1509 in the writing time(referring to time for writing a signal to a selected pixel within thesignal writing period to the pixel), the first switch 1502 is turned onand the second switch 1503 is turned off in the power saving modeperiod. When an H level output from the second inverter 1506 is inputtedto a pixel electrode of the display element 1508, an L level potentialis applied to the counter electrode 1511 of the display element 1508. Inaddition, an H level potential is applied to the counter electrode 1511of the display element 1508 when the first switch 1502 is turned off,the second switch 1503 is turned on, and an L level output from thefirst inverter 1505 is inputted to the pixel electrode of the displayelement 1508. Thus, an AC voltage can keep being applied to the displayelement 1508.

On the other hand, in a pixel to which a Low digital signal (DigitalVideo Data) is inputted from the signal line 1509 in the writing time(referring to time for writing a signal to a selected pixel within thesignal writing period to the pixel), the first switch 1502 is turned onand the second switch 1503 is turned off in the power saving modeperiod. When the output at an L level from the second inverter 1506 isinputted to the pixel electrode of the display element 1508, a potentialat an L level is applied to the counter electrode 1511 of the displayelement 1508. In addition, a potential at an H level is applied to thecounter electrode 1511 of the display element 1508 when the first switch1502 is turned off, the second switch 1503 is turned on, and the outputat an H level from the first inverter 1505 is inputted to the pixelelectrode of the display element 1508. Thus, a voltage applied to thedisplay element 1508 can be set to be equal to or lower than a thresholdvoltage of the liquid crystal element.

Note that in the case of the power saving mode, a gray scale can beexpressed using an area gray scale method or the like.

The case of applying an area gray scale method is briefly described withreference to FIG. 18. A pixel includes a sub-pixel 1800 a, a sub-pixel1800 b, and a sub-pixel 1800 c. Lighting regions of the sub-pixels areweighted. For example, the sizes of the lighting regions are set so asto satisfy 2⁰:2¹:2². This makes it possible to perform 3-bit display,that is, display with 8 gray scale levels.

Note that a pixel selecting switch 1801, a first switch 1802, a secondswitch 1803, a third switch 1804, a first inverter 1805, a secondinverter 1806, a display element 1808, and a capacitor 1810 in FIG. 18correspond to the pixel selecting switch 1501, the first switch 1502,the second switch 1503, the third switch 1504, the first inverter 1505,the second inverter 1506, the display element 1508, and the capacitor1510 of the pixel in FIG. 15, respectively. In FIG. 18, a signal line isprovided for each sub-pixel as the signal line 1509 shown in FIG. 15. Inother words, a pixel selecting switch 1801 of the sub-pixel 1800 a isconnected to a signal line Da; a pixel selecting switch 1801 of thesub-pixel 1800 b is connected to a signal line Db; and a pixel selectingswitch 1801 of the sub-pixel 1800 c is connected to a signal line Dc.Then, a digital signal of each bit corresponding to the size of thelighting region of each sub-pixel is inputted from each signal line.Therefore, a gray scale can be expressed by selecting lighting ornon-lighting of each sub-pixel by the digital signal.

Subsequently, FIG. 19 shows another structure example of a pixelincluding an analog voltage holding circuit and a digital signal memorycircuit. The pixel includes a first pixel selecting switch 1901, asecond pixel selecting switch 1904, a first capacitor 1902, a secondcapacitor 1905, a display element 1903, a transistor 1906, a firstswitch 1907, a second switch 1908, a signal line 1909, a first powersource line 1910, and a second power source line 1911. Vrefh and Vreflare alternately applied to the first power source line 1910, and Vcom isapplied to the second power source line 1911. Here, Vrefh satisfies(Vrefh>Vcom) and (Vrefh−Vcom)>V_(LCD), and Vrefl satisfies (Vrefl<Vcom)and (Vcom−Vrefl)>V_(LCD). When Vrefh or Vrefl is applied to oneelectrode of the display element 1903 and Vcom is applied to the otherelectrode, a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold voltage V_(LCD)is applied to the display element 1903. In addition, a potential equalor approximately equal to that of the second power source line 1911 isapplied to a counter electrode 1912 of the display element 1903. Inother words, when Vcom is applied to a pixel electrode of the displayelement 1903, the applied voltage of the display element 1903 is set tobe equal to or lower than a threshold voltage V_(LCD).

Operation of the pixel is described. In the case of the normal displaymode, the first pixel selecting switch 1901 is turned on, and the secondpixel selecting switch 1904, the first switch 1907, and the secondswitch 1908 are turned off as shown in FIG. 20. Then, an analogpotential in accordance with a gray scale level of the pixel is inputtedto the signal line 1909. The analog potential corresponds to a videosignal. Note that the pixel in FIG. 20 has the same structure as that ofthe pixel in FIG. 19; therefore, FIG. 19 can be referred to for thereference numerals.

Subsequently, the case of the power saving mode is described. The secondpixel selecting switch 1904 is turned on first, and then, the firstpixel selecting switch 1901, the first switch 1907, and the secondswitch 1908 are turned off. Then, a digital signal is inputted to thesignal line 1909. This digital signal corresponds to a video signal.Then, the signal is written to the second capacitor 1905 as shown inFIG. 21A.

Next, the second pixel selecting switch 1904 is turned off and the firstswitch 1907 is turned on, while the first pixel selecting switch 1901and the second switch 1908 are turned off. Then, a potential Vrefh ofthe first power source line 1910 is applied to one electrode of thefirst capacitor 1902 as shown in FIG. 21B. In addition, a potential Vcomof the second power source line 1911 is applied to the other electrodeof the first capacitor 1902; therefore, a charge for a potentialdifference (Vrefh-Vcom) is accumulated in the capacitor 1902. Note thata power source potential Vrefh is applied to the pixel electrode of thedisplay element 1903 at that time.

Subsequently, the first switch 1907 is turned off and the second switch1908 is turned on, while the first pixel selecting switch 1901 and thesecond pixel selecting switch 1904 are turned off. Then, the transistor1906 is controlled to be turned on/off in accordance with a digitalsignal written to the second capacitor 1905.

In other words, the transistor 1906 is turned on when the digital signalwritten to the second capacitor 1905 is at an H level; therefore, thepotential Vcom of the second power source line 1911 is applied to bothelectrodes of the first capacitor 1902 as shown in FIG. 21C. Then, apotential of Vcom is applied to the pixel electrode of the displayelement 1903. Note that a voltage is hardly applied to the displayelement 1903 at that time since a potential approximately equal to Vcomis applied to the counter electrode 1912 of the display element 1903.Accordingly, the pixel is put in a non-lighting state. On the otherhand, the transistor 1906 is turned off when the digital signal writtento the second capacitor 1905 is at an L level; therefore, the firstcapacitor 1902 holds the voltage as shown in FIG. 21D. Accordingly,since a potential applied to the pixel electrode of the display element1903 is kept at Vrefh, the pixel is put in a lighting state.

Subsequently, similar operation is performed with a potential of Vreflapplied to the first power source line 1910 in a next frame period.Then, a reverse bias voltage of that applied to the display element 1903in the last frame period is applied to the display element 1903 of alighting pixel Thus, the direction of bias applied to the displayelement 1903 can be changed by changing the potential applied to thefirst power source line 1910 in each frame period. Therefore, imageburn-in of the display element 1903 can be prevented.

Note that the digital signal held in the second capacitor 1905 isacceptable as long as it can control the transistor 1906 to be turnedon/off. Therefore, normal operation can be performed even if the chargeaccumulated in the second capacitor 1905 is slightly discharged.Accordingly, in the power saving mode, periodic rewriting of a digitalsignal to the pixel in a non-display area may be performed every severalframe periods or ten-odd frame periods. Thus, power consumption can bereduced.

It is to be noted that a pixel structure which can be applied to adisplay device of the invention is not limited to the aforementionedstructure. A static memory as shown in FIG. 15, a dynamic memory asshown in FIG. 19, or combination of these may be used for a digitalsignal memory circuit.

Embodiment Mode 4

In this embodiment mode, description is made of a structure of a displaypanel having a pixel structure described in Embodiment Mode 2 withreference to FIGS. 22A and 22B.

Note that FIG. 22A is a top plan view showing a display panel, and FIG.22B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 22A taken along line A-A′. Thedisplay panel includes a signal line driver circuit 2201, a pixelportion 2202, a first scan line driver circuit 2203, and a second scanline driver circuit 2206, which are shown by dotted lines. It alsoincludes a sealing substrate 2204 and a sealing material 2205, and aportion surrounded by the sealing material 2205 is a space 2207.

Note that a wire 2208 is a wire for transmitting a signal to be inputtedto the first scan line driver circuit 2203, the second scan line drivercircuit 2206, and the signal line driver circuit 2201, and receives avideo signal, a clock signal, a start pulse signal, and the like throughan FPC (flexible printed circuit) 2209 serving as an external inputterminal. An IC chip (a semiconductor chip provided with a memorycircuit, a buffer circuit, or the like) 2219 is mounted by COG (Chip OnGlass) or the like over the junction of the FPC 2209 and the displaypanel. Note that only the FPC is shown here; however, a printed wiringboard (PWB) may be attached to the FPC. The display device in thisspecification includes not only a display panel itself but also adisplay panel with an FPC or a PWB attached thereto.

Next, a cross-sectional structure is described with reference to FIG.22B. The pixel portion 2202 and its peripheral driver circuits (thefirst scan line driver circuit 2203, the second scan line driver circuit2206, and the signal line driver circuit 2201) are formed on a substrate2210. Here, the signal line driver circuit 2201 and the pixel portion2202 are shown.

It is to be noted that as the signal line driver circuit 2201 includes aTFT 2220 and a TFT 2221. In this embodiment mode, the display panel inwhich the peripheral driver circuits are formed on one substrate isdescribed; however, the invention is not limited to this. All or a partof the peripheral driver circuits may be formed into an IC chip or thelike and mounted by COG or the like.

The pixel portion 2202 includes a TFT 2211 and a TFT 2212. Note that asource electrode of the TFT 2212 is connected to a first electrode(pixel electrode) 2213. An insulator 2214 is formed so as to cover endportions of the first electrode 2213. Here, a positive photosensitiveacrylic resin film is used.

The insulator 2214 is formed so as to have a curved surface with acurvature at an upper end portion or a lower end portion thereof inorder to make the coverage favorable. For example, in the case of usingpositive photosensitive acrylic as a material of the insulator 2214, theinsulator 2214 is preferably formed so as to have a curved surface witha curvature radius (0.2 μm to 3 μm) only at the upper end portion.Either a negative type which becomes insoluble in an etchant by lightirradiation or a positive type which becomes soluble in an etchant bylight irradiation can be used as the insulator 2214.

A layer 2216 containing an organic compound and a second electrode(counter electrode) 2217 are formed on the first electrode 2213. Here, amaterial having a high work function is preferably used for the firstelectrode 2213 which functions as an anode. For example, the firstelectrode 2213 can be formed using a single-layer film such as an indiumtin oxide (ITO) film, an indium zinc oxide (IZO) film, a titaniumnitride film, a chromium film, a tungsten film, a Zn film, or a Pt film;a stacked layer of a titanium nitride film and a film containingaluminum as its main component; a three-layer structure of a titaniumnitride film, a film containing aluminum as its main component, and atitanium nitride film; or the like. When the first electrode 2213 has astacked layer structure, it can have low resistance as a wire and form afavorable ohmic contact. Further, the first electrode 2213 can functionas an anode.

In addition, the layer 2216 containing an organic compound is formed bya deposition method using an deposition mask or an ink-jet method. Ametal complex belonging to Group 4 of the Periodic Table is used for apart of the layer 2216 containing an organic compound, and a materialwhich can be used in combination may be either a low molecular materialor a high molecular material. In addition, as a material used for thelayer containing an organic compound, a single layer or a stacked layerof an organic compound is often used generally. In addition, thisembodiment also includes a structure in which an inorganic compound isused for a part of the film formed of an organic compound. Moreover, aknown triplet material can also be used.

As a material used for the second electrode 2217 (cathode) which isformed on the layer 2216 containing an organic compound, a materialhaving a low work function Al, Ag, Li; Ca, or an alloy thereof such asMgAg, Mgln, AlLi, CaF₂, or Ca₃N₂) may be used. In the case where lightgenerated in the layer 2216 containing an organic compound istransmitted through the second electrode 2217 (cathode), a stacked layerof a metal thin film with a thin thickness and a light-transmissiveconductive film (an alloy of indium tin oxide (ITO), an alloy of indiumoxide and zinc oxide (In₂O₃—ZnO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or the like) ispreferably used as the second electrode 2217 (cathode).

By attaching the sealing substrate 2204 to the substrate 2210 with thesealing material 2205, a light emitting element 2218 is provided in thespace 2207 surrounded by the substrate 2210, the sealing substrate 2204,and the sealing material 2205. Note that there is also a case where thespace 2207 is filled with the sealing material 2205 as well as a casewhere the space 2207 is filled with an inert gas (such as nitrogen orargon).

Note that an epoxy-based resin is preferably used as the sealingmaterial 2205. The material preferably allows as little moisture andoxygen as possible to penetrate. As the sealing substrate 2204, aplastic substrate formed of FRP (Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastics), PVF(polyvinyl fluoride), myler, polyester, acrylic, or the like can be usedbesides a glass substrate or a quartz substrate.

The display panel having the pixel structure of the invention can beobtained as described above. It is to be noted that the aforementionedstructure is one example, and a display panel structure of the inventionis not limited to this.

By forming the signal line driver circuit 2201, the pixel portion 2202,the first scan line driver circuit 2203, and the second scan line drivercircuit 2206 over one substrate as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, cost ofthe display device can be reduced.

Note that the structure of the display panel is not Limited to astructure in which the signal line driver circuit 2201, the pixelportion 2202, the first scan line driver circuit 2203, and the secondscan line driver circuit 2206 are formed over one substrate as shown inFIG. 22A, and a structure may be employed in which a signal line drivercircuit 2801 shown in FIG. 28A corresponding to the signal line drivercircuit 2201 is formed into an IC chip and mounted on a display panel byCOG or the like. Note that a substrate 2800, a pixel portion 2802, afirst scan line driver circuit 2804, a second scan line driver circuit2803, an FPC 2805, an IC chip 2806, an IC chip 2807, a sealing substrate2808, and a sealing material 2809 of FIG. 28A correspond to thesubstrate 2210, the pixel portion 2202, the first scan line drivercircuit 2203, the second scan line driver circuit 2206, the FPC 2209,the IC chip 2222, the IC chip 2223, the sealing substrate 2204, and thesealing material 2205 of FIG. 22A, respectively.

In other words, only a signal line driver circuit which requires highspeed operation is formed into an IC chip using a CMOS or the like so asto reduce power consumption. In addition, by using a semiconductor chipof a silicon wafer or the like as the IC chip, higher-speed operationand lower power consumption can be achieved.

Furthermore, cost reduction can be achieved by forming the first scanline driver circuit 2804, the second scan line driver circuit 2803, andthe pixel portion 2802 over one substrate.

Thus, cost of a high-definition display device can be reduced. Inaddition, a substrate area can be used efficiently by mounting an ICchip provided with a functional circuit (memory or buffer) on aconnecting portion of the FPC 2805 and the substrate 2800.

In addition, a structure may be employed in which a signal line drivercircuit 2811, a first scan line driver circuit 2814, and a second scanline driver circuit 2813 of FIG. 28B corresponding to the signal linedriver circuit 2201, the first scan line driver circuit 2203, and thesecond scan line driver circuit 2206 of FIG. 22A are formed into an ICchip and mounted on a display panel by COG or the like. In this case,power consumption of a high-definition display device can further bereduced. Therefore, polysilicon is preferably used for a semiconductorlayer of a transistor used in a pixel portion to provide a displaydevice which consumes lower power. Note that a substrate 2810, a pixelportion 2812, an FPC 2815, an IC chip 2816, an IC chip 2817, a sealingsubstrate 2818, and a sealing material 2822 of FIG. 28B correspond tothe substrate 2210, the pixel portion 2202, the FPC 2209, the IC chip2222, the IC chip 2223, the sealing substrate 2204, and the sealingmaterial 2205 of FIG. 22A, respectively.

In addition, cost reduction can be achieved by using amorphous siliconfor a semiconductor layer of a transistor of the pixel portion 2812.Furthermore, a large display panel can be manufactured.

Further, the first scan line driver circuit and the second scan linedriver circuit, and the signal line driver circuit are not necessarilyprovided in a row direction and a column direction of the pixel. Forexample, a peripheral driver circuit 2901 formed into an IC chip asshown in FIG. 29A may have functions of the first scan line drivercircuit 2814, the second scan line driver circuit 2813, and the signalline driver circuit 2811 shown in FIG. 28B. Note that a substrate 2900,a pixel portion 2902, an FPC 2904, an IC chip 2905, an IC chip 2906, asealing substrate 2907, and a sealing material 2908 of FIG. 29Acorrespond to the substrate 2210, the pixel portion 2202, the FPC 2209,the IC chip 2222, the IC chip 2223, the sealing substrate 2204, and thesealing material 2205 of FIG. 22A, respectively.

Note that FIG. 29B is a schematic diagram showing the connection ofwires of the display device of FIG. 29A. The display device includes asubstrate 2910, a peripheral driver circuit 2911, a pixel portion 2912,an FPC 2913, and an FPC 2914. A signal and a power source potential fromthe external are inputted to the peripheral driver circuit 2911 throughthe FPC 2913. Then, the output from the peripheral driver circuit 2911is inputted to a wire connected to a pixel included in the pixel portion2912, in a row direction and a wire in a column direction.

Furthermore, an example of a light emitting element applicable to thelight emitting element 2218 is shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B. In otherwords, a structure of a light emitting element applicable to the pixeldescribed in Embodiment Modes 1 to 4 is explained with reference toFIGS. 23A and 23B. It is to be noted that a light emitting element usingan organic material is described here as an example; however, it isneedless to say that a light emitting element using an inorganicmaterial can be applied to the invention.

In a light emitting element shown in FIG. 23A, an anode 2302, a holeinjection layer 2303 formed of a hole injecting material, a holetransporting layer 2304 formed of a hole transporting material, a lightemitting layer 2305, an electron transporting layer 2306 formed of anelectron transporting material, an electron injection layer 2307 formedof an electron injecting material, and a cathode 2308 are stacked over asubstrate 2301 in this order. Here, the light emitting layer 2305 may beformed of only one kind of light emitting material; however, it may alsobe formed of two or more kinds of materials. The structure of theelement of the invention is not limited to this.

In addition to the stacked layer structure shown in FIG. 23A where eachfunctional layer is stacked, there are wide variations such as anelement formed of a high molecular compound, a high efficiency elementwhich utilizes a triplet light emitting material which emits light froma triplet excitation state in a light emitting layer. It is alsopossible to apply to a white light emitting element which can beobtained by dividing a light emitting region into two regions, bycontrolling a recombination region of carriers using a hole blockinglayer, and the like.

The element of the invention shown in FIG. 23A can be formed bysequentially depositing a hole injecting material, a hole transportingmaterial, and a light emitting material over the substrate 2301 havingthe anode 2302 (ITO). Next, an electron transporting material and anelectron injecting material are deposited, and finally the cathode 2308is deposited.

Materials suitable for the hole injecting material, the holetransporting material, the electron transporting material, the electroninjecting material, and the light emitting material are as follows.

As the hole injecting material, an organic compound such as aporphyrin-based compound, a phthalocyanine (hereinafter referred to as“H₂Pc”), copper phthalocyanine (hereinafter referred to as “CuPc”), orthe like is effective. Further, a material that has a smaller value ofan ionization potential than that of the hole transporting material tobe used and has a hole transporting function can also be used as thehole injecting material. There is also a material obtained by chemicallydoping a conductive high molecular compound, which includes polyanilineand polyethylene dioxythiophene (hereinafter referred to as “PEDOT”)doped with polystyrene sulfonate (hereinafter referred to as “PSS”).Also, a high molecular compound of an insulator is effective in terms ofplanarization of an anode, and polyimide (hereinafter referred to as“PI”) is often used. Further, an inorganic compound is also used, whichincludes an ultrathin film of aluminum oxide (hereinafter referred to as“alumina”) in addition to a thin film of a metal such as gold orplatinum.

It is an aromatic amine-based (that is, one having a bond of benzenering-nitrogen) compound that is most widely used as the holetransporting material. A material that is widely used includes4,4′-bis(diphenylamino)-biphenyl (hereinafter referred to as “TAD”),derivatives thereof such as4,4′-bis[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl (hereinafterreferred to as “TPD”), 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl(hereinafter referred to as “α-NPD”), and star burst aromatic aminecompounds such as 4,4′,4″-tris(N, N-diphenyl-amino)-triphenylamine(hereinafter referred to as “TDATA”) and4,4′,4″-tris[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-triphenylamine(hereinafter referred to as “MTDATA”).

As the electron transporting material, a metal complex is often used,which includes a metal complex having a quinoline skeleton or abenzoquinoline skeleton such as Alq, BAlq,tris(4-methyl-8-quinolinolato)aluminum (hereinafter referred to as“Almq”), or bis(10-hydroxybenzo[h]-quinolinato)beryllium (hereinafterreferred to as “BeBq”), and in addition, a metal complex having anoxazole-based or thiazole-based ligand such asbis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazolato]zinc (hereinafter referred to as“Zn(BOX)₂”) or bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-benzothiazolato]zinc (hereinafterreferred to as “Zn(BTZ)₂”). Further, in addition to the metal complexes,oxadiazole derivatives such as2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (hereinafterreferred to as “PBD”) and OXD-7, triazole derivatives such as TAZ and3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-(4-ethylphenyl)-S-(4-biphenylyl)-2,3,4-triazole(hereinafter referred to as “p-EtTAZ”), and phenanthroline derivativessuch as bathophenanthroline (hereinafter referred to as “BPhen”) and BCPhave an electron transporting property.

As the electron injecting material, the above-mentioned electrontransporting materials can be used. In addition, an ultrathin film of aninsulator, for example, metal halide such as calcium fluoride, lithiumfluoride, or cesium fluoride, alkali metal oxide such as lithium oxide,or the like is often used. Further, an alkali metal complex such aslithium acetyl acetonate (hereinafter referred to as “Li(acac)”) or8-quinotinolato-lithium (hereinafter referred to as “Liq”) is alsoeffective.

As the light emitting material, in addition to the above-mentioned metalcomplexes such as Alq, Almq, BeBq, BAlq, Zn(BOX)₂, and Zn(BTZ)₂, variousfluorescent pigments are effective. The fluorescent pigments include4,4′-bis(2,2-diphenyl-vinyl)-biphenyl, which is blue, and4-dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran, whichis red-orange, and the like. Also, a triplet light emitting material isavailable, which mainly includes a complex with platinum or iridium as acentral metal. As the triplet light emitting material,tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium,bis(2-(4′-tolyl)pyridinato-N,C^(2′))acetylacetonato iridium (hereinafterreferred to as “acacIr(tpy)₂”),2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23Hporphyrin-platinum, and the likeare known.

By using the materials each having the function as described above incombination, a highly reliable light emitting element can be formed.

Further, a light emitting element in which layers are formed in areverse order to that of FIG. 23A can be used as shown in FIG. 23B. Thatis, a cathode 2318, an electron injection layer 2317 formed of anelectron injecting material, an electron transporting layer 2316 formedof an electron transporting material, a light emitting layer 2315, ahole transporting layer 2314 formed of a hole transporting material, ahole injection layer 2313 formed of a hole injecting material, and ananode 2312 are stacked in this order over a substrate 2311.

In addition, in order to extract light emission of a light emittingelement, at least one of an anode and a cathode is required to transmitlight. A TFT and a light emitting element are formed over a substrateand there are light emitting elements having a top emission structurewhere light emission is extracted through a surface opposite to thesubstrate, having a bottom emission structure where light emission isextracted through a surface on the substrate side, and having a dualemission structure where light emission is extracted through a surfaceopposite to the substrate and a surface on the substrate siderespectively. The pixel structure of the invention can be applied to thelight emitting element having any emission structure.

Description is made with reference to FIG. 24A of a light emittingelement with a top emission structure.

A driving TFT 2401 is formed over a substrate 2400 and a first electrode2402 is formed in contact with a source electrode of the driving TFT2401, over which a layer 2403 containing an organic compound and asecond electrode 2404 are formed.

Further, the first electrode 2402 is an anode of a light emittingelement. The second electrode 2404 is a cathode of the light emittingelement. That is, a region where the layer 2403 containing an organiccompound is interposed between the first electrode 2402 and the secondelectrode 2404 corresponds to the light emitting element.

Further, as a material used for the first electrode 2402 which functionsas an anode, a material having a high work function is preferably used.For example, a single layer of a titanium nitride film, a chromium film,a tungsten film, a Zn film, a Pt film, or the like, a stacked layer of atitanium nitride film and a film containing aluminum as a maincomponent, a stacked layer of three layers of a titanium nitride film, afilm containing aluminum as a main component, and a titanium nitridefilm, or the like can be used. With a stacked layer structure, theresistance as a wire is low, a preferable ohmic contact can be obtained,and further a function as an anode can be obtained. By using a metalfilm which reflects light, an anode which does not transmit light can beformed.

As a material used for the second electrode 2404 which functions as acathode, a stacked layer of a metal thin film formed of a materialhaving a low work function (Al, Ag, U, Ca, or an alloy thereof such asMgAg, MgIn, AlLi, CaF₂, or Ca₃N₂) and a light-transmissive conductivefilm (indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO),or the like) is preferably used. By using a metal thin film and alight-transmissive conductive film in this manner, a cathode which cantransmit light can be formed.

In this manner, light from the light emitting element can be extractedto the top surface as shown by an arrow in FIG. 24A. That is, in thecase of applying to the display panel shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, lightis emitted to the sealing substrate 2204 side. Therefore, in the case ofusing a light emitting element with a top emission structure to adisplay device, a substrate which transmits light is used as the sealingsubstrate 2204.

In the case of providing an optical film, an optical film may beprovided over the sealing substrate 2204.

It is to be noted that a metal film formed of a material which functionsas a cathode and has a low work function, such as MgAg, Mgln, or AlLican be used for the first electrode 2402. For the second electrode 2404,a light-transmissive conductive film such as an ITO (indium tin oxide)film or an indium zinc oxide (IZO) film can be used. Accordingly, withthis structure, the transmittance of the top light emission can beimproved.

Further, description is made of a light emitting element with a bottomemission structure with reference to FIG. 24B. The same referencenumerals as those in FIG. 24A are used since the structures are the sameexcept for the light emission structure.

Here, as a material used for the first electrode 2402 which functions asan anode, a material having a high work function is preferably used. Forexample, a light-transmissive conductive film such as an indium tinoxide (ITO) film or an indium zinc oxide (IZO) film can be used. Byusing a light-transmissive conductive film, an anode which can transmitlight can be formed.

As a material used for the second electrode 2404 which functions as acathode, a metal film formed of a material having a low work function(Al, Ag, Li, Ca, or an alloy thereof such as MgAg, MgIn, AlLi, CaF₂, orCa₃N₂) can be used. By using a metal film which reflects light, acathode which does not transmit light can be formed.

In this manner, light from the light emitting element can be extractedto a bottom surface as shown by an arrow in FIG. 24B. That is, in thecase of applying to the display panel shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, lightis emitted to the substrate 2210 side. Therefore, in the case of using alight emitting element with a bottom emission structure for a displaydevice, a substrate which transmits light is used as the substrate 2240.

In the case of providing an optical film, an optical film may beprovided over the substrate 2210.

Description is made with reference to FIG. 24C of a light emittingelement with a dual emission structure. The same reference numerals asthose in FIG. 24A are used since the structures are the same except forthe light emission structure.

Here, as a material used for the first electrode 2402 which functions asan anode, a material having a high work function is preferably used. Forexample, a light-transmissive conductive film such as an ITO (indium tinoxide) film or an indium zinc oxide (IZO) film can be used. By using alight-transmissive conductive film, an anode which can transmit lightcan be formed.

As a material used for the second electrode 2404 which functions as acathode, a stacked layer of a metal thin film formed of a materialhaving a low work function (Al, Ag, Li, Ca, or an alloy thereof such asMgAg, MgIn, AlLi, CaF₂, or Ca₃N₂), and a light-transmissive conductivefilm (ITO (indium tin oxide), indium oxide zinc oxide (In₂O₃—ZnO) alloy,zinc oxide (ZnO), or the like) is preferably used. By using a metal thinfilm and a light-transmissive conductive film in this manner, a cathodewhich can transmit light can be formed.

In this manner, light from the light emitting element can be extractedto the both surfaces as shown by arrows of FIG. 24C. That is, in thecase of applying to the display panel shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, lightis emitted to the substrate 2210 side and the sealing substrate 2204side. Therefore, in the case of applying a light emitting element with adual emission structure to a display device, substrates which transmitlight are used as the substrate 2210 and the sealing substrate 2204.

In the case of providing an optical film, optical films may be providedover both the substrate 2210 and the sealing substrate 2204.

The invention can also be applied to a display device which realizesfull color display by using a white light emitting element and a colorfilter.

As shown in FIG. 25, a base film 2502 is formed over a substrate 2500and a driving TFT 2501 is formed thereover. A first electrode 2503 isformed in contact with a source electrode of the driving TFT 2501 and alayer 2504 containing an organic compound and a second electrode 2505are formed thereover.

The first electrode 2503 is an anode of a light emitting element. Thesecond electrode 2505 is a cathode of the light emitting element. Thatis, a region where the layer 2504 containing an organic compound isinterposed between the first electrode 2503 and the second electrode2505 corresponds to the light emitting element. In the structure shownin FIG. 25, white light is emitted. A red color filter 2506R, a greencolor filter 2506G, and a blue color filter 2506B are provided over thelight emitting element, thereby full color display can be carried out.Further, a black matrix (also referred to as BM) 2507 for separatingthese color filters is provided.

The aforementioned structures of the light emitting element can be usedin combination and can be appropriately used for the display devicehaving the pixel structure of the invention. The structures of thedisplay panel and the light emitting elements described above areexamples, and it is needless to say that the pixel structure of theinvention can be applied to display devices having other structures.

Next, a partial cross-sectional view of a pixel portion of a displaypanel is described.

First, description is made of the case of using a crystallinesemiconductor film (polysilicon (p-Si) film) as a semiconductor layer ofa transistor with reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B and FIGS. 27A and 27B.

Here, the semiconductor layer is obtained by, for example, forming anamorphous silicon (a-Si) film over a substrate by a known filmdeposition method. Note that the semiconductor film is not limited tothe amorphous silicon film, and any semiconductor film having anamorphous structure (including a microcrystalline semiconductor film)may be used. Further, a compound semiconductor film having an amorphousstructure, such as an amorphous silicon germanium film may be used.

Then, the amorphous silicon film is crystallized by lasercrystallization, thermal crystallization using RTA or an annealingfurnace, thermal crystallization using a metal element which promotescrystallization, or the like. Needless to say, such crystallization maybe carried out in combination.

As a result of the aforementioned crystallization, a crystallized regionis formed in a part of the amorphous semiconductor film.

In addition, the crystalline semiconductor film having a partiallyincreased crystallinity is patterned into a desired shape, and anisland-shaped semiconductor film is formed using the crystallizedregion. The semiconductor film is used as the semiconductor layer of thetransistor. Note that patterning is to process a film shape, which meansforming a film pattern by a photolithography technique (includingforming contact hole in photosensitive acrylic and processingphotosensitive acrylic so as to be a spacer), forming a mask pattern bya photolithography technique and etching with the use of the maskpattern, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, a base film 2602 is formed over asubstrate 2601, and a semiconductor layer is formed thereover. Thesemiconductor layer includes a channel forming region 2603 and animpurity region 2605 functioning as a source or drain region, which arein a driving transistor 2618, and a channel forming region 2606, an LDDregion 2607, and an impurity region 2608, which function as a lowerelectrode of a capacitor 2619. Note that channel doping may be carriedout to the channel forming regions 2603 and 2606.

As the substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a ceramicsubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like can be used. The base film2602 can be formed using a single layer of aluminum-nitride (AlN),silicon oxide (SiO₂),silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or the like, orstacked layers thereof.

A gate electrode 2610 and an upper electrode 2611 of the capacitor 2619are formed over the semiconductor layer with a gate insulating film 2609interposed therebetween.

An interlayer insulating film 2612 is formed so as to cover the drivingtransistor 2618 and the capacitor 2619. Then, a contact hole is formedin the interlayer insulating film 2612, through which a wire 2613 and awire 2621 are in contact with the impurity region 2605 and the impurityregion 2608, respectively. A pixel electrode 2614 is formed in contactwith the wire 2613, and a second interlayer insulator 2615 is formed soas to cover end portions of the pixel electrode 2614 and the wire 2613.Here, the second interlayer insulator 2615 is formed using a positivephotosensitive acrylic resin film. Then, a layer 2616 containing anorganic compound and a counter electrode 2617 are formed over the pixelelectrode 2614. Thus, a light emitting element 2620 corresponds to aregion where the layer 2616 containing an organic compound is interposedbetween the pixel electrode 2614 and the counter electrode 2617.

In addition, the LDD region which forms a part of the lower electrode ofthe capacitor 2619 may overlap the upper electrode 2611. That is, thecapacitor 2619 may have a region 26202 as shown in FIG. 26B. Note thatcommon portions to those in FIG. 26A are denoted by the same referencenumerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 27A, a second upper electrode 26301 may beprovided, which is formed in the same layer as the wire 2613 in contactwith the impurity region 2605 of the driving transistor 2618. Note thatcommon portions to those in FIG. 26A are denoted by the same referencenumerals, and description thereof is omitted. A second capacitor isformed by interposing the interlayer insulating film 2612 between thesecond upper electrode 26301 and the upper electrode 2611. In addition,since the second upper electrode 26301 is in contact with the impurityregion 2608, a first capacitor having such a structure that the gateinsulating film 2609 is interposed between the upper electrode 2611 andthe channel forming region 2606, and the second capacitor having such astructure that the interlayer insulating film 2612 is interposed betweenthe upper electrode 2611 and the second upper electrode 26301 areconnected in parallel, so that a capacitor 26302 having the first andsecond capacitors is obtained. Since the capacitor 26302 has a totalcapacitance of those of the first and second capacitors, the capacitorhaving a large capacitance can be formed in a small area. That is, usingthe capacitor in the pixel structure of the invention leads to a furtherimproved aperture ratio.

Alternatively, a structure of a capacitor as shown in FIG. 27B may beemployed. A base film 2702 is formed over a substrate 2701, and asemiconductor layer is formed thereover. The semiconductor layerincludes a channel forming region 2703 and an impurity region 2705functioning as a source or drain region of a driving transistor 2718.Note that channel doping may be carried out to the channel formingregion 2703.

As the substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a ceramicsubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like can be used. The base film2702 can be formed using a single layer of aluminum nitride (AlN),silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or the like orstacked layers thereof.

A gate electrode 2707 and a first electrode 2708 are formed over thesemiconductor layer with a gate insulating film 2706 interposedtherebetween.

A first interlayer insulating film 2709 is formed so as to cover thedriving transistor 2718 and the first electrode 2708. Then, a contacthole is formed in the first interlayer insulating film 2709, throughwhich a wire 2710 is in contact with the impurity region 2705. Inaddition, a second electrode 2711 is formed in the same layer and withthe same material as the wire 2710.

Furthermore, a second interlayer insulating film 2712 is formed so as tocover the wire 2710 and the second electrode 2711. Then, a contact holeis formed in the second interlayer insulating film 2712, through which apixel electrode 2713 is formed in contact with the wire 2710. A thirdelectrode 2714 is formed in the same layer and with the same material asthe pixel electrode 2713. Here, a capacitor 2719 is formed of the firstelectrode 2708, the second electrode 2711, and the third electrode 2714.

An insulator 2715 is formed so as to cover an end portion of the pixelelectrode 2713 and the third electrode 2714, and a layer 2716 containingan organic compound and a counter electrode 2717 are formed over thethird insulator 2715 and the third electrode 2714. Then, an lightemitting element 2720 corresponds to a region where the layer 2716containing an organic compound is interposed between the pixel electrode2713 and the counter electrode 2717.

As described above, each of the structures shown in FIGS. 26A and 26Band FIGS. 27A and 27B can be given as a structure of a transistor usinga crystalline semiconductor film for a semiconductor layer. Note thatthe transistors having the structures shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B andFIGS. 27A and 27B are examples of transistors with a top-gate structure.That is, the transistor may be either a p-channel transistor or ann-channel transistor. In the case where the transistor is an n-channeltransistor, the LDD region may be formed either so as to overlap thegate electrode or not to overlap, or a part of the LDD region may beformed so as to overlap the gate electrode. Further, the gate electrodemay have a tapered shape and the LDD region may be provided below thetapered portion of the gate electrode in a self-aligned manner. Inaddition, the number of gate electrodes is not limited to two, and amulti-gate structure with three or more gate electrodes may be employed,or a single gate structure may also be employed.

Next, as a structure of a transistor which uses polysilicon (p-Si) for asemiconductor layer, FIGS. 30A and 30B each show a partialcross-sectional view of a display panel using a transistor which has astructure where a gate electrode is interposed between a substrate and asemiconductor layer, that is, a transistor with a bottom-gate structurewhere a gate electrode is located below a semiconductor layer.

A base film 3002 is formed over a substrate 3001. Then, a gate electrode3003 is formed over the base film 3002. A first electrode 3004 is formedin the same layer and with the same material as the gate electrode. As amaterial of the gate electrode 3003, polycrystalline silicon to whichphosphorus is added can be used. Silicide, which is a compound of metaland silicon, may be used in addition to polycrystalline silicon.

Then, a gate insulating film 3005 is formed so as to cover the gateelectrode 3003 and the first electrode 3004. As the gate insulating film3005, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or the like is used.

A semiconductor layer is formed over the gate insulating film 3005. Thesemiconductor layer includes a channel forming region 3006, an LDDregion 3007, and an impurity region 3008 functioning as a source ordrain region, which are in a driving transistor 3022, and a channelforming region 3009, an LDD region 3010, and an impurity region 3011,which function as a second electrode of a capacitor 3023. Note thatchannel doping may be carried out to the channel forming regions 3006and 3009.

As the substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a ceramicsubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like can be used. The base film3002 can be formed using a single layer of aluminum nitride (AlN),silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or the like orstacked layers thereof.

A first interlayer insulating film 3012 is formed so as to cover thesemiconductor layer. Then, a contact hole is formed in the firstinterlayer insulating film 3012, through which a wire 3013 is in contactwith the impurity region 3008. A third electrode 3014 is formed in thesame layer and with the same material as the wire 3013. The capacitor3023 is formed with the first electrode 3004, the second electrode, andthe third electrode 3014.

In addition, an opening portion 3015 is formed in the first interlayerinsulating film 3012. A second interlayer insulating film 3016 is formedso as to cover the driving transistor 3022, the capacitor 3023, and theopening portion 3015. Then, a contact hole is formed in the secondinterlayer insulating film 3016, through which a pixel electrode 3017 isformed. Then, an insulator 3018 is formed so as to cover end portions ofthe pixel electrode 3017. For example, a positive photosensitive acrylicresin film can be used. Subsequently, a layer 3019 containing an organiccompound and a counter electrode 3020 are formed over the pixelelectrode 3017. Thus, a light emitting element 3021 corresponds to aregion where the layer 3019 containing an organic compound is interposedbetween the pixel electrode 3017 and the counter electrode 3020. Theopening portion 3015 is located below the light emitting element 3021.That is, in the case where light emitted from the light emitting element3021 is extracted from the substrate side, the transmittance can beimproved due to the existence of the opening portion 3015.

Furthermore, a fourth electrode 3024 may be formed in the same layer andwith the same material as the pixel electrode 3017 in FIG. 30A so as toobtain a structure shown in FIG. 30B. In this case, a capacitor 3025 canbe formed by the first electrode 3004, the second electrode, the thirdelectrode 3014, and the fourth electrode 3024.

Next, description is made of the case of using an amorphous silicon(a-Si:H) film as a semiconductor layer of a transistor. FIGS. 31A and31B show cases of a top-gate transistor, and FIGS. 32A, 32B, 30A, and30B show cases of a bottom-gate transistor.

FIG. 31A shows a cross sectional view of a transistor having a forwardstaggered structure, which uses amorphous silicon for a semiconductorlayer. A base film 3102 is formed over a substrate 3101. Further, apixel electrode 3103 is formed over the base film 3102. In addition, afirst electrode 3104 is formed in the same layer and with the samematerial as the pixel electrode 3103.

As the substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a ceramicsubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like can be used. The base film3102 can be formed using a single layer of aluminum nitride (AlN),silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or the like orstacked layers thereof.

Wires 3105 and 3106 are formed over the base film 3102, and an endportion of the pixel electrode 3103 is covered with the wire 3105.N-type semiconductor layers 3107 and 3108 each having N-typeconductivity are formed over the wires 3105 and 3106 respectively. Inaddition, a semiconductor layer 3109 is formed over the base film 3102and between the wires 3105 and 3106. The semiconductor layer 3109 ispartially extended so as to cover the N-type semiconductor layers 3107and 3108. Note that the semiconductor layer is formed by an amorphoussemiconductor film such as an amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) film or amicrocrystalline semiconductor (μ-Si:H) film. Then, a gate insulatingfilm 3110 is formed over the semiconductor layer 3109, and an insulatingfilm 3111 is formed in the same layer and with the same material as thegate insulating film 3110, and also over the first electrode 3104. Notethat as the gate insulating film 3110, a silicon oxide film, a siliconnitride film, or the like is used.

A gate electrode 3112 is formed over the gate insulating film 3110. Inaddition, a second electrode 3113 is formed in the same layer and withthe same material as the gate electrode, and over the first electrode3104 with the insulating film 3111 interposed therebetween. A capacitor3119 corresponds to a region where the insulating film 3111 isinterposed between the first electrode 3104 and the second electrode3113. An insulator 3114 is formed so as to cover end portions of thepixel electrode 3103, the driving transistor 3118, and the capacitor3119.

A layer 3115 containing an organic compound and a counter electrode 3116are formed over the insulator 3114 and the pixel electrode 3103 locatedin an opening portion of the insulator 3114. Thus, a light emittingelement 3117 corresponds to a region where the layer 3115 containing anorganic compound is interposed between the pixel electrode 3103 and thecounter electrode 3116.

The first electrode 3104 shown in FIG. 31A may be formed like a firstelectrode 3120 as shown in FIG. 31B. The first electrode 3120 is formedin the same layer and with the same material as the wires 3105 and 3106.

FIGS. 32A and 32B show partial cross-sectional views of a display panelhaving a bottom-gate transistor which uses amorphous silicon as itssemiconductor layer.

A base film 3202 is formed over a substrate 3201. A gate electrode 3203is formed over the base film 3202. A first electrode 3204 is formed inthe same layer and with the same material as the gate electrode. As amaterial of the gate electrode 3203, polycrystalline silicon to whichphosphorus is added can be used. Silicide, which is a compound of metaland silicon, may be used in addition to polycrystalline silicon.

Then, a gate insulating film 3205 is formed so as to cover the gateelectrode 3203 and the first electrode 3204. As the gate insulating film3205, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or the like is used.

A semiconductor layer 3206 is formed over the gate insulating film 3205.In addition, a semiconductor layer 3207 is formed in the same layer andwith the same material as the semiconductor layer 3206.

As the substrate, a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a ceramicsubstrate, a plastic substrate, or the like can be used. The base film3202 can be formed using a single layer of aluminum nitride (AlN),silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or the like orstacked layers thereof.

N-type semiconductor layers 3208 and 3209 having N-type conductivity areformed over the semiconductor layer 3206, and an N-type semiconductorlayer 3210 is formed over the semiconductor layer 3207.

Wires 3211 and 3212 are formed over the N-type semiconductor layers 3208and 3209 respectively, and a conductive layer 3213 is formed in the samelayer and with the same material as the wires 3211 and 3212, over theN-type semiconductor layer 3210.

Thus, a second electrode is formed of the semiconductor layer 3207, theN-type semiconductor layer 3210, and the conductive layer 3213. Notethat a capacitor 3220 having a structure where the gate insulating film3205 is interposed between the second electrode and the first electrode3204 is formed.

One end portion of the wire 3211 is extended, and a pixel electrode 3214is formed so as to be in contact with an upper potion of the extendedwire 3211.

In addition, an insulator 3215 is formed so as to cover end portions ofthe pixel electrode 3214, a driving transistor 3219, and the capacitor3220.

Then, a layer 3216 containing an organic compound and a counterelectrode 3217 are formed over the pixel electrode 3214 and theinsulator 3215. A light emitting element 3218 corresponds to a regionwhere the layer 3216 containing an organic compound is interposedbetween the pixel electrode 3214 and the counter electrode 3217.

The semiconductor layer 3207 and the N-type semiconductor layer 3210,which are to be a part of the second electrode of the capacitor, are notnecessarily required. That is, the second electrode may be theconductive layer 3213, so that the capacitor may have such a structurethat the gate insulating film 3205 is interposed between the firstelectrode 3204 and the conductive layer 3213.

Note that the pixel electrode 3214 is formed before the wire 3211 isformed in FIG. 32A, thereby a capacitor 3222 as shown in FIG. 32B can beobtained, which has a structure where the gate insulating film 3205 isinterposed between the first electrode 3204 and a second electrode 3221formed of the pixel electrode 3214.

Although FIGS. 32A and 32B show inverted staggered channel-etchedtransistors, a channel-protective transistor may be used. Description ofchannel-protective transistors is made with reference to FIGS. 30A and30B.

A channel-protective transistor shown in FIG. 33A is different from thechannel-etched driving transistor 3219 shown in FIG. 32A in that aninsulator 3301 functioning as an etching mask is provided over thechannel forming region in the semiconductor layer 3206. Common portionsexcept for that point are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Similarly, a channel-protective transistor shown in FIG. 30B isdifferent from the channel-etched driving transistor 3219 shown in FIG.32B in that the insulator 3301 functioning as an etching mask isprovided over the channel forming region in the semiconductor layer3206. Common portions except for that point are denoted by the samereference numerals.

By using an amorphous semiconductor film as a semiconductor layer(channel forming region, source region, drain region, and the like) of atransistor included in a pixel of the invention, the manufacturing costcan be reduced.

Note that structures of the transistors and capacitors to which a pixelstructure of the invention can be applied are not limited to thosedescribed above, and various structures of transistors and capacitorscan be used.

Embodiment Mode 5

The display device of the invention can be applied to various electronicappliances, specifically a display portion of electronic appliances. Theelectronic appliances include cameras such as a video camera and adigital camera, a goggle-type display, a navigation system, an audioreproducing device (car audio component stereo, audio component stereo,or the like), a computer, a game machine, a portable informationterminal (mobile computer, mobile phone, mobile game machine, electronicbook, or the like), an image reproducing device having a recordingmedium (specifically, a device for reproducing a recording medium suchas a digital versatile disc (DVD) and having a display for displayingthe reproduced image) and the like.

FIG. 34A shows a display which includes a housing 34001, a supportingbase 34002, a display portion 34003, a speaker portion 34004, a videoinputting terminal 34005, and the like. A display device having thepixel structure of the invention can be used for the display portion34003. Note that the display includes all display devices for displayinginformation such as for a personal computer, receiving televisionbroadcasting, and displaying an advertisement. A display using thedisplay device of the invention for the display portion 34003 can reducepower consumption.

In recent years, the need to grow in size of a display has beenincreased. In accordance with the enlargement of a display, rise inprice becomes a problem. Therefore, an object is to reduce themanufacturing cost as much as possible and to provide a high qualityproduct at as low price as possible.

FIG. 34B shows a camera which includes a main body 34101, a displayportion 34102, an image receiving portion 34103, operating keys 34104,an external connection port 34105, a shutter 34106, and the like.

In recent years, in accordance with advance in performance of a digitalcamera and the like, competitive manufacturing thereof has beenintensified. Thus, it is important to provide a higher-performanceproduct at as low price as possible. A digital camera using the displaydevice of the invention for the display portion 34102 can reduce powerconsumption.

FIG. 34C shows a computer which includes a main body 34201, a housing34202, a display portion 34203, a keyboard 34204, an external connectionport 34205, a pointing mouse 34206, and the like. A computer using thedisplay device of the invention for the display portion 34203 can reducepower consumption.

FIG. 34D shows a mobile computer which includes a main body 34301, adisplay portion 34302, a switch 34303, operating keys 34304, an infraredport 34305, and the like. A mobile computer using the display device ofthe invention for the display portion 34302 can reduce power consumptionby switching between a normal mode and a power saving mode.

FIG. 34E shows a portable image reproducing device having a recordingmedium (specifically, a DVD reproducing device), which includes a mainbody 34401, a housing 34402, a display portion A 34403, a displayportion B 34404, a recording medium (DVD or the like) reading portion34405, an operating key 34406, a speaker portion 34407, and the like.The display portion A 34403 mainly displays image data and the displayportion B 34404 mainly displays text data. An image reproducing deviceusing the display device of the invention for the display portions A34403 and B 34404 can reduce power consumption by switching between anormal mode and a power saving mode.

FIG. 34F shows a goggle-type display which includes a main body 34501, adisplay portion 34502, and an arm portion 34503. A goggle type displayusing the display device of the invention for the display portion 34502can reduce power consumption by switching between a normal mode and apower saving mode.

FIG. 34G shows a video camera which includes a main body 342001, adisplay portion 342002, a housing 342003, an external connection port342004, a remote control receiving portion 342005, an image receivingportion 342006, a battery 342007, an audio inputting portion 342008,operating keys 342009, an eye piece portion 34610, and the like. A videocamera using the display device of the invention for the display portion342002 can reduce power consumption by switching between a normal modeand a power saving mode.

FIG. 34H shows a mobile phone which includes a main body 34701, ahousing 34702, a display portion 34703, an audio inputting portion34704, an audio outputting portion 34705, operating keys 34706, anexternal connection port 34707, an antenna 34708, and the like.

In recent years, a mobile phone is provided with a game function, acamera function, an electronic money function, or the like, and the needfor a high-value added mobile phone has been increased. Further, thehigh definition display has been required. The mobile phone using thedisplay device of the invention for the display portion 34703 can reducepower consumption by switching a normal mode and a power saving mode.

While a mobile phone becomes multifunctional and the frequency of use isincreased, long time use with one charge is required.

For example, peripheral driver circuits are formed into an IC chip byusing CMOS or the like as shown in FIGS. 28B and 29A, thereby low powerconsumption can be achieved.

Thus, the invention can be applied to various electronic appliances.

Embodiment Mode 6

In this embodiment mode, description is made of a structure example of amobile phone having the display device of the invention for a displayportion with reference to FIG. 37.

A display panel 3710 is incorporated in a housing 3700 so as to befreely attached and detached. The shape and size of the housing 3700 canbe appropriately changed in accordance with the size of the displaypanel 3710. The housing 3700 provided with the display panel 3710 isfitted in a printed circuit board 3701 so as to be assembled as amodule.

The display panel 3710 is connected to the printed circuit board. 3701through an FPC 3711. A speaker 3702, a microphone 3703, a transmittingand receiving circuit 3704, and a signal processing circuit 3705including a CPU, a controller, and the like are formed over the printedcircuit board 3701. The forgoing module, an inputting means 3706, and abattery 3707 are combined, which is stored in a case 3709. A pixelportion of the display panel 3710 is disposed so as to be seen from anopening window formed in the case 3709.

The display panel 3710 may be formed by forming a pixel portion and apart of peripheral driver circuits (a driver circuit whose operationfrequency is low among a plurality of driver circuits) using TFTs overone substrate; forming a part of the peripheral driver circuits (adriver circuit whose operation frequency is high among the plurality ofdriver circuits) into an IC chip; and mounting the IC chip on thedisplay panel 3710 by COG (Chip On Glass). Alternatively, the IC chipmay be connected to a glass substrate by using TAB (Tape AutomatedBonding) or a printed circuit board. It is to be noted that FIG. 28Ashows a structure example of such a display panel that a part ofperipheral driver circuits and a pixel portion are formed over onesubstrate and an IC chip provided with the other part of the peripheraldriver circuits is mounted by COG or the like. By employing theabove-described structure, power consumption of a display device can bereduced and the life per charge of a mobile phone can be made long. Inaddition, cost reduction of the mobile phone can be achieved.

In addition, in order to further reduce the power consumption, the pixelportion may be formed using TFTs over a substrate as shown in FIGS. 28Band 29A, all of the peripheral driver circuits may be formed into an ICchip, and the IC chip may be mounted on the display panel by COG (ChipOn Glass) or the like. Further, in the pixel portion, an amorphoussemiconductor film is used for a semiconductor layer of a transistor,thereby the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is to be noted that the structure described in this embodiment modeis an example of a mobile phone, and the display device of the inventioncan be applied not only to a mobile phone having the above-describedconstitution but also to mobile phones having various structures.

Embodiment Mode 7

FIG. 35 shows an EL module combining a display panel 3501 and a circuitboard 3502. The display panel 3501 includes a pixel portion 3503, a scanline driver circuit 3504, and a signal line driver circuit 3505. Acontrol circuit 3506, a signal dividing circuit 3507, and the like areformed over the circuit board 3502. The display panel 3501 and thecircuit board 3502 are connected to each other by a connecting wire3508. As the connecting wire, an FPC or the like can be used.

The display panel 3501 may be formed by forming a pixel portion and apart of peripheral driver circuits (a driver circuit whose operationfrequency is low among a plurality of driver circuits) using TFTs overone substrate; forming a part of the peripheral driver circuits (adriver circuit whose operation frequency is high among the plurality ofdriver circuits) into an IC chip; and mounting the IC chip on thedisplay panel 3501 by COG (Chip On Glass) or the like. Alternatively,the IC chip may be mounted on the display panel 3501 by using TAB (TapeAutomated Bonding) or a printed circuit board. It is to be noted thatFIG. 28A shows an example of structure where a part of peripheral drivercircuits and a pixel portion are formed over one substrate and an ICchip provided with the other part of the peripheral driver circuits ismounted by COG or the like.

In addition, in order to further reduce the power consumption, the pixelportion may be formed using TFTs over a glass substrate, all of theperipheral driver circuits may be formed into an IC chip, and the ICchip may be mounted on the display panel by COG (Chip On Glass) or thelike.

Note that in the case where an amorphous semiconductor film is appliedto a semiconductor layer of a transistor constituting a pixel, it ispreferable that the pixel portion be formed using TFTs over a substrate,all of the peripheral driver circuits be formed into an IC chip, and theIC chip be mounted on the display panel by COG (Chip On Glass). Notethat FIG. 28B shows an example of the structure where a pixel portion isformed over a substrate and an IC chip provided with a peripheral drivercircuit is mounted on the substrate by COG or the like.

An EL television receiver can be completed with the above-described ELmodule. FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a main structure of an ELtelevision receiver. A tuner 3601 receives video signals and audiosignals. The video signals are processed by a video signal amplifiercircuit 3602, a video signal processing circuit 3603 for converting asignal outputted from the video signal amplifier circuit 3602 into acolor signal corresponding to each color of red, green and blue, and thecontrol circuit 3506 for converting the video signal into the inputspecification of a driver circuit. The control circuit 3506 outputs asignal to each of the scan line side and the signal line side. In thecase of driving in a digital manner, a structure where the signaldividing circuit 3507 is provided on the signal line side to supply aninput digital signal by dividing into m number of signals may beemployed.

An audio signal received by the tuner 3601 is transmitted to an audiosignal amplifier circuit 3604, and an output thereof is supplied to aspeaker 3606 through an audio signal processing circuit 3605. A controlcircuit 3607 receives receiving station (received frequency) and volumecontrol data from an input portion 3608, and transmits signals to thetuner 3601 and the audio signal processing circuit 3605

By incorporating the EL module shown in FIG. 35 into the housing 34001,a TV receiver can be completed as shown in FIG. 34A. The display portion34003 is constituted by the EL module. In addition, the speaker portion34004, the video inputting terminal 34005, and the like are providedappropriately.

It is needless to say that the invention can also be applied to variousappliances other than the TV receiver, such as a monitor of a personalcomputer, and in particular a large display medium such as aninformation display panel at the station or the airport, and anadvertisement board on the street.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no.2005-222219 filed in Japan Patent Office on 29 th, Jul., 2005, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE

101: signal line driver circuit, 102: scan line driver circuit, 103:pixel portion, 104: pixel, 207: semiconductor layer, 401: shift registercircuit, 402: latch circuit, 403: latch circuit, 404: circuit, 405:analog switch, 406: transistor, 407: inverter, 408: wire, 600:substrate, 601: signal line driver circuit, 602: scan line drivercircuit, 603: pixel portion, 604: counter electrode, 605: connectingterminal portion, 606: connecting terminal, 607: connecting terminal,608: contact hole, 609: video line, 610: clock line, 611: connectingterminal, 701: signal line driver circuit, 702: scan line drivercircuit, 703: pixel portion, 704: pixel, 705: driving transistor, 706:switching transistor, 707: capacitor, 708: light emitting element, 801:transistor, 802: transistor, 803: capacitor, 804: light emittingelement, 805: wire, 806: wire, 807: wire, 808: electrode, 901: drivingtransistor, 902: switching transistor, 903: capacitor, 904: lightemitting element, 905: scan line, 906: signal line, 907: power sourceline, 908: electrode (counter electrode), 909: rectifier element, 910:scan line, 1001: driving transistor, 1002: switching transistor, 1003:capacitor, 1004: light emitting element, 1005: scan line, 1006: signalline, 1007: power source line, 1008: electrode (counter electrode),1009: erasing transistor, 1010: scan line, 1201: analog voltage holdingcircuit, 1202: digital signal memory circuit, 1203: display element,1204: signal line, 1205: switch, 1206: switch, 1301: signal line drivercircuit, 1302: signal line driver circuit, 1303: pixel portion, 1304:scan line driver circuit, 1305: pixel, 1307: switch, 1308: switch, 1309:analog voltage holding circuit, 1310: digital signal memory circuit,1401: signal line driver circuit, 1402: signal line driver circuit,1403: pixel portion, 1404: scan line driver circuit, 1405: pixel, 1407:switch, 1408: switch, 1409: analog voltage holding circuit, 1410:digital signal memory circuit, 1501: pixel selecting switch, 1502:switch, 1503: switch, 1504: switch, 1505: inverter, 1506: inverter,1508: display element, 1509: signal line, 1510: capacitor, 1511: counterelectrode, 1801: pixel selecting switch, 1802: switch, 1803: switch,1804: switch, 1805: inverter, 1806: inverter, 1808: display element,1810: capacitor, 1901: pixel selecting switch, 1902: capacitor, 1903:display element, 1904: pixel selecting switch, 1905: capacitor, 1906:transistor, 1907: switch, 1908: switch, 1909: signal line, 1910: powersource line, 1911: power source line, 1912: counter electrode, 2201:signal line driver circuit, 2202: pixel portion, 2203: scan line drivercircuit, 2204: sealing substrate, 2205: sealing material, 2206: scanline driver circuit, 2207: space, 2208: wire, 2209: FPC, 2210:substrate, 2211: TFT, 2212: TFT, 2213: electrode, 2214: insulator, 2216:layer, 2217: electrode, 2218: light emitting element, 2220: TFT, 2221:TFT; 2222: IC chip, 2223: IC chip, 2240: substrate, 2301: substrate,2302: anode, 2303: hole injection layer, 2304: hole transporting layer,2305: light emitting layer, 2306 electron transporting layer, 2307:electron injection layer, 2308: cathode, 2311: substrate, 2312: anode,2313: hole injection layer, 2314: hole transporting layer, 2315: lightemitting layer, 2316 electron transporting layer, 2317: electroninjection layer, 2318: cathode, 2400: substrate, 2401: driving TFT,2402: electrode, 2403: layer, 2404: electrode, 2500: substrate, 2501:driving TFT, 2502: base film, 2503: electrode, 2504: layer, 2505:electrode, 2507: black matrix (BM), 2601: substrate, 2602: base film,2603: channel forming region, 2605: impurity region, 2606: channelforming region, 2607: LDD region, 2608: impurity region, 2609: gateinsulating film, 2610: gate electrode, 2611: upper electrode, 2612:interlayer insulating film, 2613: wire, 2614: pixel electrode, 2615:interlayer insulator, 2616: layer, 2617: counter electrode, 2618:driving transistor, 2619: capacitor, 2620: light emitting element, 2621:wire, 2701: substrate, 2702: base film, 2703: channel forming region,2705: impurity region, 2706: gate insulating film, 2707: gate electrode,2708: electrode, 2709: interlayer insulating film, 2710 wire, 2711:electrode, 2712: interlayer insulating film, 2713: pixel electrode,2714: electrode, 2715: insulator, 2716: layer, 2717: counter electrode,2718: driving transistor, 2719: capacitor, 2720: light emitting element,2800: substrate, 2801: signal line driver circuit, 2802: pixel portion,2803: scan line driver circuit, 2804: scan line driver circuit, 2805:FPC, 2806: IC chip, 2807: IC chip, 2808: sealing substrate, 2809:sealing material, 2810: substrate, 2811: signal line driver circuit,2812: pixel portion, 2813: scan line driver circuit, 2814: scan linedriver circuit, 2815: FPC, 2816: IC chip, 2817: IC chip, 2818: sealingsubstrate, 2822: sealing material, 2900: substrate, 2901: peripheraldriver circuit, 2902: pixel portion, 2904: FPC, 2905: IC chip, 2906: ICchip, 2907: sealing substrate, 2908: sealing material, 2910: substrate,2911: peripheral driver circuit, 2912: pixel portion, 2913: FPC, 2914:FPC, 3001: substrate, 3002: base film, 3003: gate electrode, 3004:electrode, 3005: gate insulating film, 3006: channel forming region,3007: LDD region, 3008: impurity region, 3009: channel forming region,3010: LDD region, 3011: impurity region, 3012: interlayer insulatingfilm, 3013: wire, 3014: electrode, 3015: opening portion, 3016:interlayer insulating film, 3017: pixel electrode, 3018: insulator,3019: layer, 3020: counter electrode, 3021: light emitting element,3022: driving transistor, 3023: capacitor, 3024: electrode, 3025:capacitor, 3101: substrate, 3102: base film, 3103: pixel electrode,3104: electrode, 3105: wire, 3106: wire, 3107: N-type semiconductorlayer, 3108: N-type semiconductor layer, 3109: semiconductor layer,3110: gate insulating film, 3111: insulating film, 3112: gate electrode,3113: electrode, 3114: insulator, 3115: layer, 3116: counter electrode,3117: light emitting element, 3118: driving transistor, 3119: capacitor,3120: electrode, 3201: substrate, 3202: base film, 3203: gate electrode,3204: electrode, 3205: gate insulating film, 3206: semiconductor layer,3207: semiconductor layer, 3208: N-type semiconductor layer, 3210:N-type semiconductor layer, 3211: wire, 3213: conductive layer, 3214:pixel electrode, 3215: insulator, 3216: layer, 3217: counter electrode,3218: light emitting element, 3219: driving transistor, 3220: capacitor,3221: electrode, 3222: capacitor, 3301: insulator, 3501: display panel,3502: circuit board, 3503: pixel portion, 3504: scan line drivercircuit, 3505: signal line driver circuit, 3506: control circuit, 3507:signal dividing circuit, 3508: connecting wire, 3601: tuner, 3602: videosignal amplifier circuit, 3603: video signal processing circuit, 3604:audio signal amplifier circuit, 3605: audio signal processing circuit,3606: speaker, 3607: control circuit, 3608: input portion, 3700:housing, 3701: printed circuit board, 3702: speaker, 3703: microphone,3704: transmitting and receiving circuit, 3705: signal processingcircuit, 3706: inputting means, 3707: battery, 3709: case, 3710: displaypanel, 3711: FPC, 3801: signal line driver circuit, 3802: scan linedriver circuit, 3803: pixel portion, 3804: pixel, 3805: scan line drivercircuit, 3901: signal line driver circuit, 3902: scan line drivercircuit, 3903: pixel portion, 3904: pixel, 3905: scan line drivercircuit, 3906: shift register circuit, 3907: shift register circuit,3908: switch, 3909: switch, 4001: shift register circuit, 4002: samplingswitch, 4003: circuit, 4004: flip-flop circuit, 4005: AND gate, 4006:switch, 4007: analog switch, 4008: transistor, 4009: wire, 4010:inverter, 1306 a: sub-pixel, 1306 b: sub-pixel, 1306 c: sub-pixel, 1406a: sub-pixel, 1406 b: sub-pixel, 1406 c: sub-pixel, 1800 a: sub-pixel,1800 b: sub-pixel, 1800 c: sub-pixel, 2506B: color filter, 2506G: colorfilter, 2506R: color filter, 26202: region, 26301: upper electrode,26302: capacitor, 34001: housing, 34002: supporting base, 34003: displayportion, 34004: speaker portion, 34005: video inputting terminal, 34101:main body, 34102: display portion, 34103: image receiving portion,34104: operating keys, 34105: external connection port, 34106: shutter,34201: main body, 34202: housing, 34203: display portion, 34204:keyboard, 34205: external connection port, 34206: pointing mouse, 34301:main body, 34302: display portion, 34303: switch, 34304: operating keys,34305: infrared port, 34401: main body, 34402: housing, 34403: displayportion A, 34404: display portion B, 34405: reading portion, 34406:operating key, 34407: speaker portion, 34501: main body, 34502: displayportion, 34503: arm portion, 34610: eye piece portion, 34701: main body,34702: housing, 34703: display portion, 34704: audio inputting portion,34705: audio outputting portion, 34706: operating keys, 34707: externalconnection port, 34708: antenna, 342001: main body, 342002: displayportion, 342003: housing, 342004: external connection port, 342005:remote control receiving portion, 342006: image receiving portion,342007: battery, 342008: audio inputting portion, 342009: operating keys

1. A display device comprising: a signal line driver circuit foroutputting a signal to be written to a pixel; and a scan line drivercircuit for selecting a pixel to which a signal is written, wherein thesignal line driver circuit includes a switching circuit for outputting asignal from the signal line driver circuit while the scan line drivercircuit selects a pixel and the signal line driver circuit stopsoperating.
 2. A display device comprising: a signal line driver circuitfor outputting a signal to a signal line to be written to a pixel; and ascan line driver circuit for selecting a pixel to which the signal iswritten, wherein the signal line driver circuit includes a shiftregister circuit, a latch circuit, and a switching circuit; and whereinthe switching circuit has a switch which electrically connects betweenthe signal line and an output terminal of the latch circuit or a wire towhich a potential is applied.
 3. A display device comprising: a pixelportion provided with a plurality of pixels; a signal line drivercircuit for outputting a signal to be written to a pixel; a scan linedriver circuit for selecting a pixel to which a signal is written; and acontrol unit for stopping operation of the signal line driver circuit,wherein the pixel includes a unit for holding an analog voltage and aunit for storing a digital signal; a signal is outputted from the signalline driver circuit while a pixel is selected by the scan line drivercircuit and the signal line driver circuit stops operating.
 4. Thedisplay device according to claim 3, wherein the unit for storing thedigital signal stores the signal.
 5. The display device according toclaim 4, wherein the pixel includes a liquid crystal display element. 6.A driving method of a display device comprising a shift registercircuit, a latch circuit, and a switching circuit in a signal linedriver circuit, and can perform partial display, wherein in performingpartial display, while a pixel in a display area is selected, a signaloutputted from the latch circuit is supplied to a signal line by theswitching circuit, whereas while a pixel in a non-display area isselected, a non-display signal is supplied to the signal line by theswitching circuit; wherein while a pixel in the display area isselected, a clock signal is inputted to the shift register circuit; whena pixel in the non-display area starts to be selected, a clock signalstops being inputted to the shift register circuit, and when shiftingfrom selection of a pixel in the non-display area to a pixel in thedisplay area, a clock signal starts to be inputted to the shift registercircuit no less than one horizontal period prior to the start ofselection of the pixel in the display area.
 7. A driving method of adisplay device comprising a shift register circuit and a switchingcircuit in a signal line driver circuit, and can perform partialdisplay, wherein in performing partial display, while a pixel in adisplay area is selected, a signal outputted from a video line issupplied to a signal line through the switching circuit, whereas while apixel in a non-display area is selected, a non-display signal issupplied to the signal line through the switching circuit; wherein whilea pixel in the display area is selected, a clock signal is inputted tothe shift register circuit; and wherein while a pixel in the non-displayarea is selected, a clock signal stops being inputted to the shiftregister circuit.